Mary Elizabeth Taylor Cox, beloved widow of Isaac Benjamin Cox, died March 2, 2016, in Columbia, South Carolina. She was 96. She was born January 26, 1920, to James Walter Taylor and Sarah Gasque Eaddy Taylor in Conway, South Carolina. She was the eighth of twelve children and loved to share her happy memories of a large and loving family and of growing up in simpler times in a small Low Country town. Her favorite recollections of childhood were those of the younger children being loaded into the touring car with "papa's" driver at the helm for a trip to her grandparents' house in rural Florence County or for summer fun at Murrells Inlet. She and her family remained close throughout their lives, and she was the very last remaining sibling.

Libby (or Elizabeth as she was known in later years) married her high school sweetheart on July 13, 1937, and that story was her most interesting. Shortly after graduation from Conway High School they caused quite a stir in the small southern town by eloping! It was an unconventional beginning, but their marriage was a long, devoted, and happy one for 52 years until Ben's death in 1989. After WWII they moved to Columbia for Ben to attend USC and, they made Columbia their home for the rest of their lives. They were inseparable and provided a loving Christian home for their four children, built a successful business together, and nurtured wonderful and lasting friendships.

Libby was a beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her life was guided by her love for God and her family, and she considered her most important work to be that of providing a loving and nurturing home. She loved and served the Lord faithfully and was a longtime member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was an active volunteer and leader in the women of the church, committees, Sunday School and anywhere else she was needed. Her favorite hobby was cooking. She was an accomplished cook and loved to entertain. Even into her eighties she was known as a warm and gracious hostess, and an invitation to her home was a coveted one. Dinnertime might find anyone around her table, from family, friends, or business associates to someone just stopping by; all were welcome.

At the age of 85 Libby moved to Rice Estate. She loved being with people and wanted to be where she could enjoy events and make new friends in later life. She immediately became a leader at the home – always welcoming newcomers, gathering people from their rooms for events, encouraging others to participate in activities. She rarely missed anything and didn't want others to either, from church and concerts to bingo and exercise!

Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband and parents, a son, Thomas Benjamin Cox, a daughter, Janice Elizabeth Cox Lindsey, and a grandson, J. Troy Carpenter. She is survived by her daughters, Sarah Rebecca Cox Carpenter and Nancy Ruth Cox (Gene L.) Dinkins of Columbia; eight grandchildren, Michelle Cox Stutts (Karl Kemmerlin) of Columbia, Debra J. Cox of Florence, SC, Thomas B. "Ben" Cox, Jr., of Hartsville, SC, Brian A. (Tarah) Carpenter of Longwood, FL, Eaddy Lindsey (Russell) Sams of St. Simons Island, GA, Gene L. (Kathryn) Dinkins, Jr., Sanford B. Dinkins (Will Baker), and Mary L. "Lucy" Dinkins (Harrison Floyd), all of Columbia; and seven great- grandchildren, Albert Stutts of Myrtle Beach, SC, William Stutts of Columbia, Austin Carpenter, Ethan Carpenter, Olevia Carpenter, all of Longwood, Parker Sams and Bennett Sams, both of St. Simons Island.

The family wishes to acknowledge and to express sincere appreciation to Elizabeth's friend and devoted nurse Judy Davis, the staff and nurses of Rice Estate, and her private caregivers for their help and support and for their faithful and compassionate care.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Heyward Street United Methodist Church (formerly Wesley Memorial) in Columbia. The Reverend Phil Reynolds will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.