I was married in SC 1978; we separated 1982; he now lives in NC and has filed for divorce. Is NC the court to handle the case?

In order to know what state would have jurisdiction it would be helpful to know where you were living when you two separated.  If you were living with him in North Carolina when you separated, and had established residency there, then yes, North Carolina would have jurisdiction over the case.  If you were still living in South Carolina when you separated, then South Carolina may be the proper court to have jurisdiction.