Elizabeth Carter Rainsford Coon

Aiken - Elizabeth Carter Rainsford Coon of Aiken died on April 23, 2023. 

Liz was born on February 22, 1929 in Jasper County, SC, the youngest of seven children of John David Carter, Sr. and Estelle Tison Carter. The family moved to Beaufort when she was an infant. Liz graduated from Beaufort High School in 1946 and from Winthrop College in 1950. Upon graduating Winthrop, she moved to Edgefield where she began her teaching career.

In 1951, Liz married Thomas Hobbs Rainsford, with whom she had four children: Carter Rainsford Costigan (Michael), Thomas Hobbs Rainsford, Jr., James Carroll Rainsford, and Estelle Rainsford (Sean Clinchy). She stayed at home with the children until the youngest was in fourth grade, and then continued teaching in Edgefield and Aiken County schools for the next 20 years.

Tom predeceased her in 1977, and in 1983, Liz married Don James Coon, Jr. and moved to Aiken where she spent many happy years. Don died in 2007. Liz was often heard to say how fortunate she was to have had two happy marriages of 25 years.

In addition to her parents and her two husbands, Liz was predeceased by her siblings: John David Carter, Jr., Nelle Carter DeLoach, Rebecca Carter Wight and Benjamin Sweat Carter, as well as a brother and sister who died in infancy.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her step-children Don Coon, John Coon and Cheri Coon Furno; five grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild, and many devoted nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church with the Reverend Joseph Whitehurst officiating. Interment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery in Edgefield at 2:00 PM.

Pallbearers will be Will Costigan, Thomas Costigan, James Costigan, Evans Clinchy, J.J. Kovach, and John Wight.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, 125 Pendleton St., Aiken, SC 29801, or to Edgefield Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 315, Edgefield, SC 29824.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC

Liz’s online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com