Elizabeth "Beth" Harman Caddell

Funeral services for Elizabeth “Beth” Harman Caddell, 90, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Jason T. Antley and Rev. Dr. Dennis Bolton officiating. Burial in the church cemetery and a reception in the social hall will follow the service. The social hall will be open for anyone not able to attend the burial.

Pallbearers are Rhett Clark, Thomas Clark, Luke Crocker, Trevor Crocker, Joseph Ellis, Alexander Harman, Billy Rawl, Samuel Stormer, and William Stormer.

Beth passed away on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. A native of Lexington, SC, she was born on May 6, 1931, and was the daughter of the late Sarah Clark Harman and Dr. H. Odelle Harman. Beth was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Marvin “Pete” Caddell and brothers, Harry O. Harman, Jr. and Arthur C. Harman.

The oldest child of parents devoted to education, Beth graduated from both Lexington High School and Newberry College early. She began her forty-and-a-half-year teaching career in Berkley and Barnwell counties and Boiling Springs, but it was the thirty-three years she taught and ran the library at Lexington High School that defined her career.

Earning a Master’s in Library Science, Beth immeasurably impacted the education and lives of many LHS students as she led the library from the card catalogue to computers. Running a meticulously-organized library so well-stocked with resources that graduates sometimes returned to it for their college work, Beth also opened the library early every morning. She additionally stayed late on particular days so that students who did not have a study hall could have time to work in the library, and she often provided them with snacks.

Always seeking to learn more about her profession, Beth was an influential member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honor society that promotes growth and excellence for women educators, as well as the School Librarians Association. Recognized particularly for her dedication to education and St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Beth received the Lexington Woman’s Club Woman of Distinction annual award in 2013.

It was at Newberry College that Beth met her husband, Pete, and while she was a dedicated educator, she was an even more devoted wife. Beth and Pete created a beautiful home, traveled, worked hard together, and especially loved spending time at their beach house where Beth enjoyed entertaining and walking on the beach, looking for sharks’ teeth and sand dollars.

Founding members of Les Bon Ami and the Lexington Cotillion, Beth and Pete valued time with friends, and Beth thoroughly enjoyed her two Bridge Clubs. A strong cup of coffee, a piece of cake or chocolate, and a well-told story were a few of her favorite things, but Beth found the most joy of her adult life in her marriage, and she deeply treasured her beloved nieces and nephews and their children.

Beth is survived by her brother, Paul E. Harman (Gale), of Lexington, and her nieces and nephews, Sally H. Plowden (Russell), Charlotte H. Stormer (Christian), Ashley H. Crocker (Trevor), C. Alexander Harman (Katie), Stella E. Harman, T. Brett Harman (Jenny), Shannon H. Sharpe, and her great nieces and nephews, Caroline P. Ellis (Joe), Grace and Anne Plowden; Will Stormer, Sam Stormer (Madeline), and Sarah Stormer; Trevor, Luke, and Cate Crocker; Clark, Annabelle, and George Harman; Erin H. Deal (Trevor) and Emily Harman; Molly and Meredith Sharpe; and sister-in-law, Daisy Harman who, in particular, watched over Beth faithfully in her final days and hours.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the late Gladys Mims for her long and dedicated friendship; Patricia and Tommy Rawl for their constant support and love; Lib Brown, devoted neighbor and friend, for her daily kindnesses; Pastor Jason for his genuine interest and unselfish care; the considerate and helpful staff at Wellmore; all of the very special sitters with LiveLong WellCare, especially Becky Jones who tended to Beth like family; the compassionate caregivers of Lighthouse Hospice; and Penny Simpkins for her steadfast friendship and lovely prayers at the end.

Memorials may be made to St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 119 N. Church St., Lexington, SC 29072.