Frances Cauley Earnst

Frances (Frankie) Cauley Earnst, 74, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 19, 2025 due to complications associated with dementia. She was surrounded by family and friends, just the way it was supposed to be. Frankie was born in Clinton, SC on December 8, 1950, the only daughter of Frank Edd Cauley and Willie Pruitt Cauley. After graduation from Clinton High School in 1969, Frankie attended Coker College in Hartsville, SC, where she met many of her best friends to this day. Upon graduation in 1973 with a degree in Elementary and Special Education, Frankie and her roommate set out to seek their fortunes in Charleston, SC. Both found employment at Knightsville Elementary School, where Frankie found her calling. She so enjoyed teaching young children. In March, 1975, she met her future husband at a wedding and became engaged later that year. Doug and Frankie married in December 1976 and she continued to teach until their first son, Brad, was born in November 1979. In April, 1984, they welcomed their second son, Daniel, and Frankie continued to provide the nurture and care that made their home so special. As the boys grew, she became more involved with activities associated with the boy’s school and the family’s church. At Orange Grove Elementary, she served on various committees and as co-president of the PTA, as well as providing many hours of service as a volunteer. At Westminster Presbyterian Church, she served as an ordained deacon, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and leader, Senior High Advisor, Montreat Youth Advisor and participated in a Mission trip to Coban, Guatemala. When Daniel was starting fifth grade, Frankie was drawn back to her love of teaching. She taught 4-year-old preschool at Westminster Presbyterian for the next 17 years. She loved working with young children so much. It provided her with immeasurable fulfillment as she touched so many lives, both students and parents. It was not unusual for those same students and parents to see her many years later and remark about her positive impact on each of them. Doug was many times referred to as Mr. Frankie, which swelled his heart with pride for her. She was a gifted educator. Frankie will be best remembered for her personality and giving spirit. Everything was better when she was around. She had a sparkle in her eye, a keen sense of humor and an infectious love of life and everything in it. There was nothing that she did not want to do (except maybe yardwork) and the more people she could get to join her, the better. If someone asked, “Do y’all want to ….?”, often, she would answer, “yeah” before the question was completed. She was a great cook, hostess, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother. Frankie dearly loved her family, especially her grandchildren, her Church, and her friends. What a great support they all were as she journeyed down the dark path of dementia. Frankie is survived by her loving husband, Doug, and sons and daughters-in-law, Brad and Shelby of Charleston, SC, and Daniel and Keller of Charlotte, NC, and cherished grandchildren: Henry, Manning, Kemp, Anne Cauley, and Judson. She is also survived by her brother, Keith R. Cauley of Harlem, GA. Special thanks and gratitude are extended to the caring staffs at the Village at Summerville (Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina) and Agape Care Hospice. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 1157 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston. The family will receive friends in Covenant Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1157 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC, 29407.