Obituary of Elizabeth Caulkins

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Parnell Caulkins, the widow of Curtis Henry Caulkins, Jr, died in Sumter, SC on May 20, 2026, at Covenant Place, Sumter.

Born in Brunswick, GA on April 4, 1935, she was the youngest daughter of the late Ellis George and Helen Joiner Parnell of Lynchburg, SC.  She married Curtis Henry Caulkins, Jr. of Bridgeport, CT in Lynchburg on September 6, 1957.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, parents, and her sisters (Jeraldine Parnell Johnson, Nolia Parnell Logan, Thelma Parnell Gath).  

Mrs. Caulkins graduated from Lynchburg High School and was a member of the Lynchburg Baptist Church.  Mrs. Caulkins was the top honor graduate of the Tuomey School of Nursing (Class of 1957), Sumter.  She was an occupational registered nurse in Bridgeport while her husband completed his university degree.  When they returned to Sumter, she was employed as a private-duty registered nurse at Tuomey Hospital.  She then joined Sumter Surgical Associates as a registered nurse and office manager for thirty years.  In retirement, she taught Medical Terminology at Central Carolina Technical College, Sumter. As a member of St. James Lutheran Church, she introduced Parish Health Ministry.  As a Clemson Master Gardener, she was one of the creators of the St. James Memorial Garden and cared for the garden for over 15 years.  She was instrumental in recovering and publishing archival materials related to the Tuomey School of Nursing and organizing their first school-wide class reunion. 

She is survived by a daughter Susan Edith Caulkins of Sumter; a son Curtis Steven (Missy) Caulkins of Florence, SC; 4 grandchildren, Margaret Anne Caulkins of Washington, DC, Curtis Ellis Caulkins of Gastonia, NC, Steven Alexander (Iris) Caulkins of Florence, Sarah Frances (Sonny) Miller of Florence and great grandson (Henry Alexander Caulkins) of Florence.

On Friday, June 5, 2026, the family will receive friends from 4 pm to 6 pm at Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter. 

A graveside service will be held at the Lynchburg Presbyterian Church (Hwy 341, Lynchburg) with The Rev. Dr. T. Scott Landrum officiating on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10 am.

The Caulkins family extends their appreciation for the care provided by Hugh T. Stoddard, Jr. MD and the staffs at Palmetto Adult Medicine, Covenant Place, McLeod Home Care and Amedisys Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lynchburg Presbyterian Church and Cemetery Fund (564 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg, SC 29080), to St. James Lutheran Church (1137 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150) or to a charity of one’s choice. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.sumterfunerals.com

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.