Edith Gross Obituary

Edith Caldwell Gross

Edith Caldwell Gross, 76, of Simpsonville, SC, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Known for her warmth, her unconditional love, and her rhythm on the dance floor, Edith-or "Nana" to those who loved her most-was truly a light in the lives of everyone she met.

Born and raised in Greenwood, SC, Edith was the youngest daughter of the late Earl Dawson and Anne Tomlinson Caldwell, Jr. Guided by her mother's devotion, faith became Edith's foundation from a young age. Raised in the heart of the Presbyterian church, she fostered a deep commitment to family-a trait that ensured siblings, nieces, and nephews remained a tight-knit circle throughout her life. Her summers were famously spent in Panama City Beach, watching her older brother, Steve, perform with The Swingin' Medallions. It was there she fell in love with Carolina Beach Music and mastered the shag-a dance she would enjoy for decades with her favorite partner and the love of her life, her husband Baety.

Edith and Baety (or "B.O.", as she affectionately called him) married in 1969. With characteristic selflessness, she paused her own education at Columbia College to support Baety through law school, eventually working alongside him as a paralegal for 38 years after raising her two sons. While she was a vital part of his law practice, her true calling was her home. Whether she was hosting holiday gatherings, cooking weekly dinners filled with her famous mac & cheese and butter beans, or retreating with family and friends to her beloved mountain cabin in Rocky Bottom, SC, Edith made everyone feel seen, special, and loved. She lived a simple life rooted in a profound belief: she didn't sweat the small stuff, and she loved her people fiercely. She believed life is not about what happens to you; it is about how you react to it. She lived her life with pure optimism and enthusiasm.

She is survived by her husband, Baety Oneal Gross, Jr.; her sons, Neal Gross (Caroline) and Alan Gross (Catherine); and her cherished grandchildren, Will (Caroline), Lydia (Skylar), Capers, Sid, and Annie. She is also survived by her sister, Susan Papp (Carl), brother, Earl D. Caldwell III, sister-in-law Patsy Gross (Ted), and her many cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Stevens T. Caldwell, and sister-in-law, Gene McKinney Caldwell.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Presbyterian Fellowship of Fountain Inn, 417 South Main St., Fountain Inn on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Shawn Hevener officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.