Elizabeth Walker

Helen Elizabeth Cranford Walker, 68, of Columbia, South Carolina, has won her battle with Multiple Sclerosis, claiming her place in heaven. Beth passed away peacefully, at home, among family and friends, on Monday, January 9, 2023.

She was born to the late James Brawley Cranford, Sr. and Helen Chalk Cranford, on February 4, 1954, in Chester, South Carolina. Beth graduated from Chester High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina.

On May 24, 1980 in Chester, SC, Beth married the love of her life, Robert Bratton Walker, III. Beth is survived by her husband, Bobby; and their daughters Elizabeth Law Walker (Adam Fowle) of Charlotte, NC; and Catherine Walker Weinberg (Matthew) of Gig Harbor, WA; granddaughter, Elizabeth Pope Fowle; and brother, James Brawley Cranford, Jr. (Julie) of Augusta, GA.

Beth excelled in nursing and retired from the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center after more than 32 years of dedicated service. While there, she served in several roles, including Operating Room Nurse, Infectious Disease Coordinator, and Director of Staff Education for the School of Public Health. Always a student of medicine, Beth earned a Master’s degree in Public Health Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Throughout her nursing career, Beth was recognized for her leadership and garnered multiple prestigious awards, the most noteworthy including being a recipient of the South Carolina Palmetto Gold Excellence in Nursing and was honored as an Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Fellow at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing.

Anyone who knew Beth for more than a few minutes would learn that her proudest accomplishment was raising two well-rounded ladies, eager to make waves and “do great things” in the world. Her unwavering commitment to excelling in her own career was the marvelous example that her daughters continue to use in their chosen fields.

Momma, we will miss you every day. We will look for the vibrant red cardinals and know you’re checking in on us. We count our blessings to have many memories with you.

Please join in celebration of Beth’s life on Thursday, 12 January at 3 pm at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Her burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in memory of Beth may be made to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201 or trinitysc.org.