Elizabeth Rollins Larsen

Elizabeth Rollins Epperly Larsen, wife of Harold Samuel Larsen, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, February 13, 2012. She was born April 23,1921, in Amarillo, Texas. Her parents, James Proctor and Willa Mae Williamson Rollins, were children of pioneers of west Texas. "Liz" was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she was a vibrant member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity and named a Campus Leader, with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She attended a Masters program at the University of Virginia and graduated from Catholic University in Washington, DC, with a Masters in Library Science. As a Children's Librarian, she worked in the Fairfax County Library system in Virginia serving as the first Children's Librarian in the then new community of Reston, Virginia. Liz was an avid reader, a talented painter and writer, but her greatest gift to all who knew her was her enormous capacity for compassion and empathy. She never met a stranger, could carry on a conversation with a fence post and find out where it had been milled. After any function she attended, everyone there thought of her as their dearest friend for she had discovered all their heart-felt secrets. In Martinsville, Virginia, Liz was President of the Charity League, helped establish a branch of the Virginia Museum, and was a sought after keynote speaker for many functions. A lover of learning, she collected many anecdotes and literature from her interactions with the many people she met. A mentor, loving mother, devoted wife, constant friend, Liz will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Liz is survived by her devoted husband, Harold S. Larsen, her three children: Carolyn Epperly, her husband Michael Robinson and their children Keely, Ciara, and Caitrin; Elizabeth (Betsy) Epperly and her partner Anne-Louise Brookes; John David Epperly, Jr., his wife Laurie Duncan and their children, Alex and Daniel; her stepsons: David Larsen, his wife Pam and their daughter Jennie; and Paul Larsen, his wife Gay and their children, Kate Leon, Sarah, and Ben. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Harold S. Larsen are invited to attend a Memorial Tribute for the latter at 3:00 PM Thursday, February 16, 2012, at The Palms, 937 Bowman Rd. Mt. Pleasant. Burial, in Marion, SC will be Private. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Beaufort County Library 311 Scott St, Beaufort, SC 29902. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER Funerals & Cremation 766-1365