Eliza M. Cave (1914-2020) saw her life’s purpose as helping others.  She lived by the philosophy, “Live the best life you can and do all you can for all the people you can, in all the ways you can.”

And for her 106 years of life, she did just that.  

Mrs. Cave knew that education was the key for African Americans to make positive changes in the world.  Her parents instilled this value in her and her siblings, many of whom also acquired college degrees.  

Eliza Cave graduated from Morris College in 1938, an uncommon feat at the time for an African American woman in the rural South.  According to statistics, in 1940, only 3.8% of women and 1.2% of black women 25 and older had college degrees.

Mrs. Cave would go on to leave a lasting impact on her family and community.  She and her husband, the late Rev. Lucius Cave made sure all three of their children graduated from college.  After his death, Mrs. Cave continued their dream with the next generation, making sure all nine of her grandchildren attended college, with six achieving graduate degrees including one Ph.D. 

Eliza Cave served as a dedicated teacher and principal in Allendale County Schools for 32 years.  After retirement, she continued to serve as a leader in her church and community.  She supported various causes and mentored countless students in her community.

And so, the Eliza M. Cave Memorial Scholarship was created in her honor to preserve her legacy for generations to come.

 Scholarship Details

The Eliza M.Cave Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to graduating seniors of Allendale-Fairfax High School and Barnwell High School pursuing careers in education. There will be a scholarship recipient from each school each year.  Funds raised will help establish this as an endowed scholarship fund and set it on the path to continuously award scholarships for many years to come.  The first Eliza M. Cave Memorial Scholarships will begin accepting applicants in Winter 2020 and will be awarded in Spring 2021.  It is the fundraising committee’s goal to increase the scholarship amount as contributions grow.

The Eliza M. Cave Memorial Scholarship fundraising committee, composed of Eliza Cave’s children and grandchildren, asks for your support to continue to honor the legacy of a woman that has been a blessing to the schools, church, and communities of Allendale and Barnwell counties.

Donations are typically 100% tax-deductible in the US.