Mr. John L. Bookhart

Before sunrise, Thursday, September 29, 2022, Deacon John Bookhart relinquished this earthly garment for a heavenly robe in glory and peacefully transitioned to eternal rest. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Deacon John Bookhart's life journey began on August 15, 1940 in Newark, New Jersey. He was the third child born to Ethel Mae Speach and John Marion Bookhart. Deacon John was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Shirley B. Bookhart, and brother, Breman Bookhart.
Deacon Bookhart matriculated through the Richland County Public Schools and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Class of 1960. Following graduation, he served honorably in the US Marine Corps (1961-1965), achieving the rank of corporal.
Years later following his military service, Deacon Bookhart attended Midlands Technical College receiving an Associate's degree. He was then employed at Carolina Eastman Kodak Company from which he retired after 25 years. Deacon Bookhart became a member of Zion Baptist Church in his early life and attended faithfully and loyally as long as his health permitted.
He and his wife of 60 years, Shirley Brabham Bookhart, were wed on May 26, 1962. Their union produced three children – Tonya, Wanda, and Cassandra. The family worshiped tog
ether for many years at Zion Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina where the couple served as deacon and deaconess. Deacon Bookhart served in a number of ministries: the Brotherhood, the Usher Board, van driver, and Boy Scout Master of Troop 191. Deacon Bookhart will always be remembered for his craftmanship. He would often be found repairing odds and ends around the church and his community. He was always willing to volunteer his time for the Lord.
As a young man, Deacon Bookhart obtained the rank of Eagle Scout Bronze Palm (1956) which led to him obtaining the rank of Order of the Arrow as a Scout Master. He also achieved the Silver Beaver Award on March 9, 1989 for outstanding service to Scouting. While he had very little spare time, he devoted his time to auto mechanics, watching football, and was the uncle that put the toys together on Christmas Eve. Deacon Bookhart especially enjoyed photography and bowling. He frequently played in bowling tournaments and was a certified lane inspector for the American Bowling Congress. Deacon Bookhart also served as a board member for the Booker T. Washington foundation.
He leaves to mourn, his loving and devoted daughters, Tonya Phipps (Oliver) of Naples, Florida, Wanda Thomas (Sherman) of Easely, South Carolina, and Cassandra Lakin (Robert) of Atlanta, Georgia; sister, Marian Bookhart Tucker; sisters-in-law, Christine Scott-Ferguson, Martha Lou Oree, Margaret Huff, Gloria Brabham, and Lenora Wise all of Columbia, South Carolina and Alice Bookhart of Atlanta, Georgia, nine grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.