Jim Lewis Booth

Jimmy “Jim” Lewis Booth, 75, of Johns Island, passed away June 2, 2021, surrounded by his daughters. He was predeceased by his wife of almost 50 years, Virginia McDonnell Booth, and by his parents, Lewis George and Ula Mae Anderson Booth. He is survived by his daughters, Tracey Booth Tennant of St. Simons Island, GA, and Diana Lynn Booth of Charleston; brothers Ricky Booth (Kaki) of Soddy Daisy, TN; Lewis Booth (Emma) of James Island; sister Connie Booth of James Island; and his grandchildren, Virginia Anne E. Tennant and Whitmarsh Booth Tennant, of St. Simons Island, GA. In his last two years he was lifted up by Linda Riser Groggel who added sunshine to his life.

Jim was born in Charleston, SC, then moved to his father’s hometown of North Augusta, SC, during his childhood. Stories of his youth were full of outdoor escapades, motorcycles, fast cars and genuine love from all of his Graniteville area family. He returned to Charleston for his senior year, graduating from James Island High School in 1963. He entered Clemson as an architecture major but, after a few art classes, knew he wanted to become an artist.

Realizing he would soon be drafted to serve in Vietnam, Jim left Clemson and joined the Marine Corps in 1966. While training in Beaufort, Jim began painting for one of the local galleries, even painting billboards, to get experience as an artist. Here he met Virginia, who was visiting from her home in New Orleans. Jim served in Vietnam, 1969-1970, and says he would do it all over again.

Jim and Virginia married a month after Jim returned from Vietnam in 1970. Excited to begin his career as an artist, they travelled up north, living out of their VW Bus, for Jim to sell paintings at shows. After about a year they returned and lived on Folly Beach, a lifelong source of inspiration for Jim. They started a family, moved to James Island, and in 1977 opened their own art gallery where they made many lifelong friends. Jim retired from painting in 2018. Throughout his career, Jim supported local conservation groups such as the S.C. Wildlife Association, Ducks Unlimited, Wild Turkey Federation, S.C. Waterfowl Association, and the Lowcountry Land Trust. He was a founding member of Save the Light, Inc. to see that the Morris Island Lighthouse would be saved for future generations.

Jim lived every day to its fullest, and filled each with that unmistakable, exuberant Jim Booth laugh that overflowed to anyone with him. His laugh, the way he lived his life, and his paintings all shared a power and peace, joy and love. He was blessed with an artist’s eye - the gift of seeing more than what appeared to most -and talent of communicating his perspective into paintings that evoked feeling and emotion. To this gift he applied a determined work ethic and perserverance and built a business as an artist that spanned 50 years. His gifts and his spirit will forever be captured by and shared in his paintings.

Please share your memories online at www.CharlestonFunerals.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to James McAlister Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Save the Light, Inc. or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. A private family service will be held and a Celebration of Life will follow at a later date.