Thomas A. Boiter

Thomas Ansel Boiter, 90, of Boiling Springs, SC, passed away March 9, 2024 at Palmetto Patriots Veterans Home in Gaffney, SC after an extended illness.     Born September 17, 1933 in the Poplar Springs community of Moore, SC, son of the late William Philmore and Eva L. Boiter, he was a lifetime member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church. After attending school, he joined the US Navy and served 20 years from 1951 – 1971, retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer and Senior Chief Storekeeper. In 1961 he was honored as the “Sailor of the Year” on the USS Brush Naval Ship. After returning to civilian life, he settled in Jacksonville, Florida and was the Director of Materials Management at Jacksonville General Hospital until his retirement and return to the Spartanburg SC area.    Tom reconnected with his Poplar Springs childhood friend Jane, and they married in December 1977. Prior to his retirement they resided in Jacksonville before returning home to be near family, settling in Boiling Springs, SC. His beloved wife of over 42 years, Jane Bailey Boiter, passed in 2019. They enjoyed attending church, camping in the NC mountains. being outdoors in the sunshine, attending Nascar races, but most of all spending time with a large blended family and friends.     Besides his parents and wife, Tom was also predeceased by his sister, Vivian Boiter, brother, Donald H. Boiter, brother-in-law, Richard L. Bailey and grandson, Justin M. O’Neal.    After his marriage to Jane, Tom fully embraced his new role as a “bonus dad” to his surviving bonus children, daughters, Sandra Nodine Jolley (Rick), and Teresa Nodine O’Neal both of Boiling Springs, SC; two sons, Barry D. Nodine (Sandy) of Anderson, SC and Brian D. Nodine (Lori) of Lyman, SC; sister-in-law, Margie Patton of Moore, SC and brother-in-law Jack Bailey of Greenwood, SC.Tom is also survived by his niece, Cheryl Boiter Brown (Mark) of Duncan, SC; 2 great nieces, Caitlin Pifer (Caleb) and Kelsey Bryant (Steven) both of Simpsonville, SC and their families.    His greatest joy was being a proud “Pop” or “Papa” to his 4 bonus children and 12 grandchildren, and “Pop-Pop” to his 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.     Visitation will be 2:00-2:45 pm Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Poplar Springs Baptist Church, 790 Highway 417, Moore, SC 29369, with the memorial service at 3:00 pm, conducted by Rev. Robert Bevill, music by Worship Pastor Scott McClellan and his great-granddaughter Logan Jolley.      Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Jason O’Neal, Jeff Jolley, Brandon Nodine, Brock Nodine, Heath Nodine and Brian David “Duce” Nodine II. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandsons, Drew Jolley, Daniel Jolley, and Brice O’Neal.    The family would like to thank the Palmetto Patriots Veterans Home and Patriots Hospice for the compassionate and loving care given to him and our family while he was a resident there.    Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project @ woundedwarriorproject.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @ stjude.org. or a charity of your choice.