Elizabeth Carrington O’Connell passed away on November 30, 2016 after a lengthy illness.  Elizabeth was born on August 11, 1939 to Madge Lewis Carrington and Roscoe Carrington, Jr. and was known affectionately by family and friends as Liz.  After graduating from Sanford Central High, she attended Greensboro College.  While there Liz majored in English and minored in History.  She shared her lifelong passion for these subjects by teaching junior high school English and History for many years.  Her first teaching job was in Wilmington, NC.  On June 30, 1962 Elizabeth married Larry O’Connell.  From this point on, Liz taught school wherever the couple settled as Larry worked and later returned to school to pursue his graduate degree.  She taught junior high in South Boston, VA, Rocky Mount, VA, and Memphis, TN.  Once Larry received his OD degree, the couple returned home to Sanford where they settled and built their life together.  Liz continued to teach school in Lee County at East Lee Junior High until she left the profession to take over the bookkeeping portion of Larry’s business.  She carried out this role until the couple’s retirement in 2005.  Liz was the consummate Southern Lady.  She enjoyed entertaining and welcoming friends into her lovely home.  She was always generous with her kindness, her smile, and her friendliness.  Liz never stopped learning and read voraciously her entire life.  She and Larry enjoyed traveling together.  Liz’s love of history led to another interest-ancestral research.  This created a desire to travel to Scotland; the home of her ancestors.  This was perhaps Liz’s favorite place to visit and she made the journey several times.  Liz loved her books, she loved her coffee, and she loved her Larry.  Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 54 years.  A graveside service honoring her life was held Saturday, December 3, 2016.

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