Donor Hero
Caroline Walters was a little touch of “country girl” with a lot of “southern lady class.” She had a large personality, made new friends easily, and lived each day to the fullest. Caroline loved helping people and making them smile. Her laugh was contagious. She was dedicated to her family and friends. Caroline fought for the things she believed in and for those people close to her heart.
Caroline Walters was a little touch of “country girl” with a lot of “southern lady class.” She had a large personality, made new friends, and Caroline ultimately saved the lives of four people through organ donation and gave sight to another.
Spending most of her childhood at her family’s hunting plantation in Lowcountry, South Carolina, Caroline loved and appreciated the simple things that God created around her. She often spoke fondly of country fields and the smell of freshly cut hay. However, after graduating from the University of South Carolina, Caroline moved to the town of Mount Pleasant, SC, where she loved shopping, dining, and being on the water. Caroline became the Director of Marketing/Office Manager at Deerfield Plantation in St. George and was always known to greet guests with a big smile and make them feel like family.
The early morning of October 21, 2012, Caroline’s parents faced a tragedy that was unimaginable. Caroline had been hit by a car and was in critical condition at a local hospital. On the following day, the doctors explained to Caroline’s family that her brain was seriously injured. Their worst fear became a reality three days later as Caroline was diagnosed brain dead.
When the doctors had prepared Caroline’s family to expect the worse, they immediately inquired about donating her organs. She was only 32 years old, in great health, and they knew Caroline would want to help.
The Walters family took comfort in knowing that their sweet Caroline was going to make a difference in the lives of others.
Sadly, Caroline’s mother was unable to be at the hospital initially because she was battling breast cancer and had undergone major surgery just days before Caroline’s accident. Caroline’s mission in the weeks prior to her accident was to help her mother and others facing breast cancer by raising money for new research being implemented at Penn State. Her family asked that donations be given to fund breast cancer research in lieu of flowers at her memorial service.
Shortly after Caroline passed, her family and friends organized a benefit raising money for Lowcountry Lab Rescue. Caroline’s lab, Cooper, was her best friend and accompanied her wherever she went. Caroline always stated, “Whoever said that diamonds were a girl’s best friend obviously never had a lab.”
Caroline’s love and compassion for life will forever be remembered by all who knew her. To celebrate her life, one of her favorite songs was played at her memorial service. In the midst of flowing tears, people were able to smile as they listened to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” They all knew that as Caroline entered the gates of heaven, she was laughing and singing, “Sweet Caroline… good times never seemed so good. Caroline loved helping people and making them smile. Her laugh was contagious. She was dedicated to her family and friends. Caroline fought for the things she believed in and for those people close to her heart.
