Eloise Charles

Mother Eloise Charles

Eloise Charles was born March 17, 1921 in Saint Landry Louisiana to Mary Cooper and Wilbert Smith. She grew up on a plantation where she learned different skills and her highest schooling was 9th grade.  Years later, she moved to Key West Florida to live. On November 8th, 1948, she gave birth to a boy she named Harry Donald Smith.  She continued to live in Florida until 1950.  She then moved to Louisiana but this time to the city of Opelousas and this is where she met Samuel Charles.  In March of 1955, they were united in marriage and in 1959 they made Houston Texas their permanent home. 

Eloise was a member of Solomon Temple COGIC in Houston TX, under the leadership of Pastor Solomon.  She taught Sunday school and bible band and was a prayer warrior in the church.  Since she was a licensed Missionary, from time to time she would travel to New Mexico and Southern Texas with Missionary Ruby Dickson running revivals.   They were a dynamic team out preaching the word of God.  She was a wonderful cook, a great mother who loved spending time with her son and grandchildren when they would visit for the summer. She spent a lot of time at various church members’ homes for prayer and enjoyed going to the senior center for lunch, arts and crafts.

Grandma Charles as she was affectionately called, continued to live in Houston Texas until her longtime partner of 55 years, Samuel Charles passed away on January 8, 2010.  After that she moved to Albuquerque NM, where she spent the last years of her life with her son and the family. 

Mother Eloise Charles went home to be with the lord, Monday October 28, 2019.   She is preceded in death by her parents Mary Cooper and Wilbert Smith, husband Samuel Charles, 2 brothers and 10 sisters. 

She leaves to cherish her memory, her only son Harry Smith, her daughter in law Barbara J. Smith; sister Arthur Ree; 7 grandchildren, Erika (Charles), Erick (Mari), Edwina, Erusalla, Edwin (Victoria), Ebony, EaAron (Cherisse), 23 great grandchildren and 1 great- great grandchild.  She also has a host of nieces, nephews and god children. 

Not only will she be missed by her loved ones, but we can rejoice knowing that grandma/grandpa Charles and grandma/grandpa Dickson are together, and we will see them again one day when we make it to Heaven.