Elizabeth Cromer Carswell

1933 - 2025

Elizabeth Cromer Carswell

July 4, 1933 - December 1, 2025

Elizabeth Cromer Carswell, 92, of Flat Rock, N.C., formerly of Columbia, S.C., passed away on December 1, 2025, at Tore's Home, following a long period of declining health.

Born July 4, 1933 in Lincolnton, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Dr. Voigt Rhodes Cromer and Sara Dreher Cromer. She graduated in 1951 from Hickory High School, Hickory, N.C., received her B.A. degree in 1955 from Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, and a Master of Librarianship in 1979 from the University of South Carolina.

She served as media specialist at A.C. Flora High School and Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia followed by 20 years at Chapin High School in Chapin, SC and retired in 1994.

In 1956, Elizabeth married Robert (Bob) Carswell. They enjoyed 53 years together, living in Columbia, S.C., Warner Robins, Ga., and Birmingham, Ala., before returning to Columbia in 1966.

Always involved in her church, especially in the work of Lutheran Women, Elizabeth was the pastor's wife in Faith Lutheran Church, Warner-Robins; Shades Valley Lutheran Church, Birmingham and St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Columbia. More recently she served in various roles at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, Chapin and Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Columbia.

Whether known as Elizabeth, Liz, or Lib, she loved to be with people. Her energy and diligence went into every endeavor. She was a dedicated alumna of Lenoir-Rhyne College, serving as president of the alumni association and receiving the Trustee Award in 1998. She was active in the Symphony League of the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Columbia Study Club, the Woman's Club of Columbia, Beta Omega Service Sorority, and multiple book and bridge clubs.

An avid traveler and hostess, her hospitality extended throughout the world as she and her late husband opened their home to international students through the Columbia Council for Internationals, which resulted in lifelong friendships with Dr. Craig Stephenson of Toronto and Marijn Tebbens of Amsterdam. They became a part of the family which she regularly drew together for dinners and vacations.

She resided in the Columbia, S.C., area from 1966 - 2019 until moving to Hendersonville, N.C., to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.

Mrs. Carswell is survived by one daughter, Lynn Carswell Huffman (Allan) of Flat Rock, N.C.; grandchildren, Sara Schmidt (Andrew) of Brevard, N.C., John Huffman (Kelsey) of Huntersville, N.C., and Leigh Moyer (Will) of Memphis, Tenn.; sister, Rebecca Campbell (Richard) of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., sisters-in-law, Betty Royster of Lincolnton, N.C., Shelvy Paysour of Gastonia, N.C. and Hope Sessums of Coos Bay, Ore.; five great-grandchildren, several nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Robert Wayne Carswell, and a son, David Voigt Carswell.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 6, at Hollybrook Cemetery, Lincolnton, N.C. The family will receive visitors from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Warlick Funeral Home, Lincolnton. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 10, at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Columbia, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Carswell Scholarship Fund, Lenoir-Rhyne University, 625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7467, Hickory, NC 28601.