Elizabeth Clarissa Apel
With profound sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved daughter, Elizabeth Clarissa Apel, on March 31, 2026, at the age of thirty-four. Her Celebration of Life service will be at 11:00 a.m. on April 25 at First Cary United Methodist Church, 117 S. Academy Street, Cary, North Carolina, with a reception to follow.
Elizabeth was born on February 8, 1992, in North Platte, Nebraska, and was welcomed into her family at just two days old—a moment that forever changed their lives. She was deeply loved from the very beginning and carried that love with her throughout her life.
She spent her early childhood in Papillion, Nebraska, and Rapid City, South Dakota until 1997, when her family moved to Cary, North Carolina, following her father’s retirement from the United States Air Force. There, Elizabeth grew up and built the life and relationships that shaped the remarkable person she became.
From the age of four, Elizabeth found joy and expression through dance, a passion she carried with her through high school. She trained and performed with Cary Dance Productions, where she not only developed her talent but also formed lasting friendships and cherished memories.
Elizabeth was also deeply involved in her faith community at First Cary United Methodist Church. She was an active member of the youth program, sharing her gifts through singing in the choir, ringing handbells, and participating fully in the life of the church. During her high school years, she served on youth mission trips to West Virginia and Tennessee with the Appalachian
Service Project, dedicating her time and energy to helping others in need.
Elizabeth graduated from Enloe High School in 2010 and went on to attend NC State University.
Elizabeth was a fierce and loyal friend, someone who stood beside those she loved with unwavering strength and devotion. She had a compassionate heart and a deep love for animals, always showing kindness and care to every creature she encountered.
More than anything else, Elizabeth’s greatest love was her 5-year-old daughter, Eden, who was the center of her world. She was a devoted and loving mother, and everything she did reflected the deep, unbreakable bond she shared with her daughter. That love will continue to live on, surrounding Eden always.
Elizabeth shared her life with her partner, Christopher Lee Huffman, the father of her daughter Eden. Together, they created a life centered on love, family, and devotion to their child.
Elizabeth will be remembered for her strength, her warmth, her authenticity, and her ability to make others feel safe, understood, and deeply valued. Her presence was a gift to all who knew her, and her absence leaves an immeasurable void.
She is deeply loved and will be forever missed by her parents, retired U.S. Air Force Lt Col Larry Philip Apel and Deborah Clarissa Goff Apel; her daughter, Eden Lee Huffman; her partner, Christopher Lee Huffman; her grandmother, Juanita Hardin Goff; her aunts and uncles, Frances and Earl Hass, Susan and Will Short, Randy and Pam Goff, and Steve Goff; her cousins, Leslie Marie Meissner, Tanya Hass, Cary Hass, Mandy Houck, Abby Leister, Michael Narx, Steven Narx, Jamie Stanfield, and John Thomas Goff; as well as many extended family members in Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas, along with countless friends whose lives she touched.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, retired U.S. Army SSgt Richard Apel and Frances Wilson Apel, Houston Goff, and her aunt, Cara Johnson Goff.
Though her time with us was far too short, the love she gave so freely and the memories she created will remain in our hearts always.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Appalachia Service Project, 4523 Bristol Hwy, Johnson City, TN 37601 or online at Appalachia Service Project | Mission Trips in Appalachia (https://asphome.org/) or Horne Memorial United Methodist Church Preschool, 121 E. 2nd Street, Clayton, NC 27520. You are also welcome to donate to your organization of choice.
Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever in our hearts.