Charles B. Schooler

Pawleys Island
Charles Bernard Schooler, native son of Georgetown, passed away on Monday, January 22, at the age of 95.
Charlie was born in Georgetown on December 9, 1928, the youngest of four boys of the late Benjamin Harrison Schooler and Mary Emily Hemingway Schooler, and raised by the late Nita Hemingway Stokes. He is predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Pat, 3 brothers, Alfred, Lewis (Blookie), and Robert (Bootsie), as well as a sister, Nita Stokes Maness. Charlie is survived by his three children, Chip Schooler of Highland Falls, NY, Ruth Leonard (John) of Kingsport, TN, and Jo Kriikku (Eric) of Augusta, GA; grandchildren, Paul Kriikku, Gwynivere Schooler, and Giselle Schooler, brother Bill Schooler, and many nieces and nephews whom he adored.
Charlie graduated from Winyah High School where he played all three sports. After serving his country in Japan during the post WWII occupation, Charlie attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, where he met Pat. They then returned to Georgetown where he began to practice optometry in 1952 and did so for 50 years.
A lifelong member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, one of Charlie's fondest childhood memories was sitting at his mom Nita's feet as she played the organ. As an adult he was a member of the Francis Asbury Sunday School class and served on several committees in service to the church.
In addition to his love for family and church, Charlie was devoted to Georgetown. He felt blessed to have been born and raised in this beautiful community and when he returned he made it a point to give back as a member of the Jaycees and the Georgetown Rotary Club, of which he served as president. He also served as a member of Georgetown City Council. Charlie was a director of First Federal Savings and Loan which eventually transitioned to the Carolina First Bank, and also a long standing member of the Winyah Indigo Society, serving a term as president.
Charlie strongly believed in the value of education. He was first appointed to the City Board of Education and then elected to the County Board of Education, where he served as Vice Chairman. After his time on the county board, the governor appointed him to the State Board of Education, where he served as the Chairman of the State Board in his final year. After retiring and moving to Pawleys Island, Charlie served on the Pawleys Island Civic Association Executive Board and A-Tax committee.
Charlie loved golfing, fishing, and crabbing, but his greatest joy was being with people, especially his family and cheering on the Gamecocks. He leaves behind the legacy of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and community leader who will be missed and long remembered.
The family is grateful for the wonderful care he received from caregivers in his home, The Palmettos, and NHC Garden City.
A memorial service will be held at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 1:00 pm, wth the Rev. Ross Chellis and the Rev. Dr. Dora Gafford officiating. Burial will follow at Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 6:00 pm Friday evening, February 2, 2024 at the Georgetown Chapel of Mayer-Ethridge Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to: Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 901 Highmarket Street, Georgetown, SC 29440 or Pawleys Island Chapel, PO Box 304, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer-Ethridge Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Schooler family.