On April 13, 2016, our lives were forever altered. Eloise transitioned from this life on earth to eternity in Heaven surrounded by her family whom she loved dearly. Eloise was born March 19, 1950, in Panola, Alabama to the late Alex, Jr. and Eula (Jones) Howard. She entered the gates of Heaven at the young age of 66 years after a courageous two year battle with cancer.
Throughout her school years in the Panola, Alabama school system, Eloise touched the lives of many, building lifelong relationships and bonds that she still had until she went to Glory. Eloise accepted Christ at a very early age at Rome Chapel C.M.E. Church in Panola, Alabama. She was a very active member of Zion Valley Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor John Rincher. Eloise loved the Lord and it was evident in everything she did.
Eloise was a 2010 retiree of Pinnacle Foods (Vlasic Foods) after 36 years of service. She enjoyed spending time with her family,cooking, attending church functions, garage sale and thrift store shopping and the casino. She never met a stranger. If you met her one day, she was your best friend the next. She would give her last to anyone who needed it. She was truly an angel here on earth.
Eloise leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Janice (Lester) Burrell, Panola, Alabama, Felice (Kevin) Bond, Grand Rapids, Michigan; two sons, Alphonso Howard, Panola, Alabama and Melvin (Lakimba) Howard, Grand Rapids, Michigan; five granddaughters, Shafon, Natalie, and Myana Howard, Aysia Burrell,and Kieara Bond; five grandsons, Lester Burrell, Jr., Anthony Diggs, Jr., Kevin Bond, Jr., Jalan and Tyler Howard; three step-grandchildren, Shamekia Hall Little, Bernard and Shawne Grant; one great-grandson, Jayceon Ward; goddaughters, Natasha Williams Jones and Tanisha Anderson, whom she raised; the apple of her eye, her buddy, whom she affectionately called Baby, Erielle Gordon. Eloise transitioned to Glory as Baby sang Itsy Bitsy Spider to her.
She also leaves six sisters, Lillie Williams, Annie Howard, Maxine Howard, Clara Howard, Judith (Eddie) Bell, Minnie (Joseph) Smith; two brothers, Gardner (Marilyn) Howard, Sr. and Hurmond Howard; two sisters-in-law, Nell Taylor, and Clara (Clarisa) Howard; brother-in-law, Larry (Emma) Taylor; two aunts, Natalie Howard and Essie Howard, who was like a second mother to her; one uncle, John Henry Samuel; special friends, Harvey Gartley, Franklin Smith, Sr., Etta Smith, Joyce Julks, Yvonne Ryan, Bertha Walker, Rilla Caldwell, and Mary Sue Hannibal; many nieces and nephews whom she loved and helped raise as her own; a host of cousins, relatives and friends whom she also loved.
Eloise was greeted in Glory by her lifelong love, Melvin (Dickie) Taylor; her parents, Alex, Jr. and Eula Howard, grandparents, Billy and Minnie Jones, Alex, Sr. and Laura Howard, one brother, Robert Taylor, nieces, Robin Taylor, Kenyetta (Kim) Connor, nephew, Tony Landers, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who received their wings before she did.
The family would like to extend a thank you to Dr. Delicia Pruitt; Dr. Jay Nayak and his assistants, Therese and Carrie, Dr. Todd Richardson, Covenant Harrison ICU nurses, Christina, Jessica, and Amy, Heartland Hospice nurses Jennifer and Carlean, the Quarles/Taylor family, Kelli Bond and Erica Taylor. A special thank you to Harvey Gartley for always putting a smile of her face.
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