Elizabeth Shuping

Mrs. Elizabeth Kepley Shuping passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Atrium Health Cabarrus following a brief illness.

A Memorial service will be held at a later date at Forest Hill United Methodist Church.

Elizabeth was born October 10, 1950 in Concord, NC to Elizabeth Ann Mauldin Kepley and the late Clayton Clifford Kepley, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her husband L. Stephen Guyton III.

Elizabeth attended Western Carolina University for her undergraduate degree and the University of South Carolina for her Masters in Library Science. She then went on to a long and successful career in Library Science within the South Carolina Library system.

Elizabeth served as Youth Services Coordinator at Horry County Memorial Library where she directed and mentored the Youth Services staff in ten library branches. She was a successful grant writer and secured funding for Literacy Packets for Newborns and Hispanic Outreach. Elizabeth was active in several organizations. She was past President of the South Carolina Library Association (SCLA), and a member of the Young Adults Library Association (YALSA), the Public Library Association (PLA) and the American Library Association (ALA). She was active on several boards including First Steps, First Book and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). Elizabeth was a passionate, innovative advocate who fostered literacy, access and creative, engaging activities for youth and their families.

After her retirement she returned home to Concord NC where she restored her 1913 home to its former glory and enjoyed hosting friends and family for holidays and special occasions. She has been an active member of the Concord Historical Society for several years.

Elizabeth loved traveling and over the past several years was able to visit countries in Europe as well as China and South Africa.

She is survived by her mother, Ann Mauldin Kepley, her sister Suzanne Kepley Hall, her brother Clayton Clifford Kepley, Jr. and her stepson Dennis Holt Guyton as well as a number of extended family members.

Contributions in Elizabeth's name may be made to a charitable organization of your choosing.