Mother Elizabeth P. Caldwell

Elizabeth Porterfield Caldwell was born on December 12, 1921 to the late Hardy and Gertie Rumph Porterfield in Lexington County, South Carolina, the fifth of twelve siblings. She departed this earthly life into the glorious presence of the Lord on May 25, 2021.

Mother Caldwell was the oldest founding member of the Faith Tabernacle Way of the Cross Church International in Columbia, South Carolina.  As mother of the church, she faithfully served in many capacities, especially as President of the Usher Board, Sunday School Teacher, and member of the Board of Missionaries. She also served on the Kitchen Committee. She was an excellent cook, and her specialty was her famous zucchini bread.

Mother Caldwell loved reading her Bible! She began every day by first reading her favorite scriptures, Psalm 103 and Mark 11:22-26 which she knew from memory. She was a praying woman of God, and many have been blessed by her sincere, heartfelt prayers. She often testified of God’s healing power, especially when she literally “died and my pastor and the saints prayed until God brought me back to life.” She loved her church family and was faithful in attending Bible Study and all other church services. She traveled to represent her church at state and national conventions.  Mother Caldwell was always, always in church, right up to her ripe young age of 99!

Mother Caldwell was “Aunt Lizma” to all young people, everywhere.  To be introduced to her was to develop an immediate lasting bond of affection. She also dearly loved all her family, and actively supported and attended every family reunion.

In addition to her parents, Mother Caldwell was preceded in death by her husband, Henry “Toby” Caldwell; two daughters, Barbara Porterfield and Frances Deloris Caldwell; her son, Willie Lee Porterfield; three grandaughters, Phynette Porterfield, Hope Johnson, and Chatauqua LaTrell Porterfield; her brothers, Nelson, Henry, Joseph, Eugene, and Eliminuel Porterfield; her sisters, Ethel Porterfield, Lillie Mae Thomas, Georgianne Brimfield, Sallie Manigault, and Earlene Oliver; and her sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Porterfield.

Mother Elizabeth Caldwell leaves to cherish her precious memories her daughters, Hattie R. Porterfield of Adelphi, MD; Jacqueline (James) Powell of Goldsboro, NC; Mary L. Porterfield, Gloria A. Porterfield, and Barbara A. Green of Columbia, SC; her sister, Elease P. Lorick of Columbia, SC; two sisters-in-law, Bernetha Porterfield of Cayce, SC and Frances P. Kennedy of Columbia, SC; two daughters-in-law, Elaine Porterfield of Gadsden, SC and Willie Mae Felder of West Columbia, SC; 14 grandchildren; 33 great- grandchildren; her goddaughter,  Mary Elizabeth Bostic of Columbia, SC; her dear “family” neighbors, Willie and Jean Farmer;  and a host of nieces and nephews who all love her dearly.

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