Carole Barbare

Carole Anne Dowis Barbare, 82, wife of the late Dan C. Barbare, entered eternal Heavenly rest early Sunday morning, July 23, 2023, with her family by her side. A native of Anderson, SC, daughter of the late Wallace O. Dowis and Inez Willingham Gilliam. Carole lived all her adult life in Greer in the Pleasant Grove Community and married the late Dan C. Barbare. Carole and Dan had been married for twenty-six years and had two children that were their world. Dan passed away from cancer at age 49 and Carole became both mother and father to her children. Carole was the most loving, sacrificial, and dedicated mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her life exemplified grace, faith, and courage in the face of many challenges. Her greatest joy was in her children and her grandchildren. She instilled in them her love of God and the importance of faith and service to others. She provided an example to them of persevering with joy and faith through whatever life brought to her and to lean totally on God. Carole leaves behind two children, Barry C. Barbare (Renee) of Greer, SC and Andrea Barbare Howell (Wayne) of Campobello, SC; one grandchild, Angela Howell Austin (Thomas) of Rock Hill, SC; and one great-grandchild, Andrew Thomas Austin of Rock Hill, SC. Carole and the family received the most recent blessing and had such great joy celebrating the birth of this first great-grandchild, “Drew”, born on Mother’s Day this year. She spent the last months of her life surrounded by family and focused on loving that new baby God blessed our family with. Carole is survived by one brother, Fred Dowis of Newport News, VA. Carole is also survived by her two very special first cousins, Jean Hooper and Fredda Norris. She was predeceased by her husband, Dan C. Barbare, her grandparents, Fred Sherman Willingham and Louella Hughes Willingham Ivester of Anderson, Thomas Jefferson Dowis and Flora Beatrice (Lankford) Dowis of Lavonia, GA. She was predeceased by two very close aunts, Sara Barnette and Sybil Norris of Anderson, SC. She loved so many of her aunts, uncles, and cousins – family meant everything to her. Carole spent most of her career at Transit Homes in Greenville, SC and retired from Morgan Drive Away in Greer, SC. Carole was a lifelong member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Greer. She found most joy in the service of the Lord and her Church as the Sunday School director and Church Clerk for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Happy Hearts group. It was evident to everyone that knew her just how very much her Church, family, and service to her community meant to her. Visitation will be Friday, July 28, 2023, from 6 PM – 8 PM at The Wood Mortuary located at 300 West Poinsett Street, Greer, SC 29650. Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church located at 1002 S. Buncombe Road, Greer, SC 29651. Service will be officiated by Rev. Todd Johnson and Dr. Drew Hines. Pallbearers will be Thomas Austin, Steve Howell, Mike Vise, Jeff Loftis, Tommy Edwards, Fred Lamm. Honorary escorts will be Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Sunday School classes and Happy Hearts. Memorials may be made in her honor to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1002 South Buncombe Road, Greer, SC 29651. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com

Carole Barbare

June 7, 1941 - July 23, 2023