Elizabeth “Libba” Elmore Rhoad
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Elizabeth “Libba” Elmore Rhoad, age 73, died on September 2, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. At the end, she was in Asbury, Iowa and with her beloved only son, Elliott Rhoad, her daughter-in-law, Laurie Coffel Rhoad, and her grandchildren, Aiden and Millie.
Libba was born in Spartanburg, S.C. to James and Elizabeth (Boyd) Elmore who predeceased her. She was the second oldest of four siblings. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Converse University. Libba spent a year living in Paris, before returning home for graduation and beginning her career with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), where she served in leadership for 33 years.
Libba’s life was defined by service – service to her family and friends, service to her country, service to her church, and service to her community. In 1978, she became a charter member of St. Alban’s. Over the next 47 years, she served as Vestry Leader multiple times, sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School, and faithfully led Education for Ministers for over 20 years. Through St. Alban’s, she went on 11 mission trips to Ecuador, determined to bring potable water and Christ to residents.
For 12 years, Libba also volunteered with L.I.C.S. n/k/a Mission Lexington, which is the community’s crisis assistance hub. She worked every week at the organization’s mission store, which collected clothing, goods, and household items, prepared them for clients, and operated a retail store to raise funds. A running family joke was that Libba shopped for birthday and Christmas gifts at L.I.C.S.’s mission store.
A self-described “Yellow Dog Democrat,” Libba was always involved in politics and was very knowledgeable about current events. She was proud to be a bright blue dot in a very red state. She was an election poll manager for almost two decades.
Libba is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren; her siblings, James (Pam) Elmore, Penn Laird, VA; Anne (Louis) Graham, Forest, VA; and Leslie Martin, Fairfax, VA; along with numerous extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Warren Martin; and her parents, James & Elizabeth Elmore.
The family extends deep thanks to Libba’s dearest friends who helped her through this battle: Francie Kleckley, Cecelia Hill Terry, Mary Townhill, Cindy Watson, and too many St. Alban’s parishioners to count. Your devotion and unwavering care truly brought light to help brighten our path along these final steps of Mom’s journey.
A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 403 Park Road, Lexington, SC.
Online condolences may be shared with Elizabeth’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com .
In lieu of flowers, you can donate to Mission Lexington in Libba’ memory: www.missionlexingtonsc.org/donate .
- Celebration of Life
Celebration of Life
St. Alban's Episcopal Church
403 Park Street, Lexington, South Carolina, 29072
December 28th, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It’s an honor to have known your Mom and grandmother for 55 years. You would have needed many more pages here to detail the gifts and support that she gave those around her. I am so thankful that she had all of you throughout her life, (even though for a good bit of it you were far away), and that Francie was such a dear and supportive friend in Lexington. The bond that she and I shared through the old days of hitchhiking through France and Germany and finding every hidden crêpe stand in Paris held strong through the years. Even last Spring when she knew she was moving there, we spent an afternoon looking through riverboat excursions near Dubuque. She was always able to “bloom where she was planted.” If the chance of returning to France was taken away well then we would seek out an adventure closer to “home”
My thoughts are with you as you process this great loss. Perhaps it is some help to know how much she was loved and appreciated by those fortunate enough to have known her.
Libba was my cousin. Our grandmothers were sisters. Her grandmother was also my much loved godmother. We were at Converse at the same time. I am very sad to learn that she has died. I wish that we had been in closer touch through the years. Libba was a super smart, very fun, and lovely person. Sending prayers for comfort to her son and his family.
Libba was my cousin. Our grandmothers were sisters. Her grandmother, my Great Aunt Ruth, was also my much loved godmother. I knew Betty Boyd Elmore and her husband Jim, and Betty’s sister Boofie and Dean. Libba and I were at Converse at the same time. I am very sad to learn that she has died. I wish that we had been in closer touch through the years. Libba was a super smart, very fun, and lovely person. Sending prayers for comfort to her son and his family.