Dr. Elizabeth Whittaker Huggins

Dr. Elizabeth Whittaker Huggins went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 20, 2026. She was born on April 19, 1967 to the late Dr. David Stanton Whittaker and Sandra Sconyers Whittaker in Augusta, Georgia. Known to her friends and family as "Beth," she grew up in Ocala, Florida and graduated from Forest High School. Beth attended Furman University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. It was at Furman that she met the love of her life, Charles Thomas Huggins, Jr. She and Charles were married on June 30, 1990.

Beth continued her education at the University of Georgia, where she earned a Masters of Education, as well as a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration.

In 2000, Beth joined the faculty of the Learning Support Department of Augusta State University, now known as Augusta University, as a dedicated educator and mentor. Her role evolved to become Augusta University's first Director of First and Second Year Experience. As an innovative and tireless student advocate, Beth's greatest passion was celebrating their successes. Over her more than twenty-year career, Beth believed deeply in creating supportive pathways for all students to succeed in college and in life. Through early enrollment programs, career-focused courses, and guided tours that connected students face-to-face with professionals in surrounding communities, she demonstrated an unwavering commitment to helping every student discover and achieve their potential. Her commitment to student success was recognized nationally when she was honored as one of ten outstanding First Year Professionals in the country at the 43rd Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience in Seattle.

Beth will be remembered for her selflessness, resilience, advocacy for her students, mentorship of her staff, and an overwhelming love of her family, friends, and her Lord. Her positivity, warmth, and joy radiated through everything she did, and she had a remarkable way of making everyone she knew feel like family. Married for thirty-six years, Beth and Charles were blessed with two daughters, Catherine and Caroline, who were the light of her life. She raised her daughters to deeply love family, lean on their faith in Christ, and live a life that reflects God's love by treating others with kindness, grace, and compassion. The past year and a half presented Beth’s greatest joy, her granddaughter, Brooke.

Beth delighted in loving others through hospitality and elegant meals for large groups of family and friends. She cherished creating spaces where stories, laughter, and deep joyful connections could be shared. In their downtime, Beth and Charles enjoyed quiet weekends together at their house on Lake Greenwood, trips to the Isle of Palms, and spending time with family and friends.

In the community and at work, Beth was a servant-leader motivated by her sincere, personal faith in Christ. She was an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, where she served with dedication and purpose as a Vestry member, and as a board member of the Episcopal Day School. Beth was a former President of the Junior League of Augusta and served on the boards of Child Enrichment, the Clinton Anderson Foundation and Women in Philanthropy of the CSRA. She was also a valued member of the Augusta Symphony Guild and Augusta Heritage Club.

Beth is survived by her devoted husband, Charles Thomas Huggins, Jr.; her daughters and their spouses, Catherine Huggins Everett (Brendan) and Caroline "Callie" Huggins Campanella (Nick); her granddaughter, Brooke Ellison Everett; her mother, Sandra Sconyers Whittaker; her brother, David Stanton Whittaker, Jr., M.D. (Kerri) and her mother-in-law, Sada Mason Huggins; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Huggins Elliott (Brandon); her brother-in-law, Wilson "Will" Perry Huggins; and her nieces and nephews: Emily Anne Whittaker, David Stanton Whittaker III (Leanne), Robert Trevor Huggins (Danielle), Hailie Huggins Harrison (Hayden), John Kevin Huggins (Lauren), Mason Riggan Elliott (Rachel), Thomas Wesley Elliott (Teagan), and Anna DeLacy Elliott. She was predeceased by her father, Dr. David Stanton Whittaker.

Service will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia on Friday, September 25th at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends at the Church of the Good Shepherd Parish Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests gifts be made in memory of Beth to the Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Huggins FYE/SYE Student Support Fund, c/o Augusta University Foundation (EIN #58-6038134), 1120 15th Street, HS 3200/PAE, Augusta, GA 30912, or online https://give.augusta.edu/dr-elizabeth-beth-huggins-student-support-fund/?a=14062363.  If forwarding a check, please include Fund 200192 in the memo line. Memorial gifts may also be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com