March 18, 1944 – Dec. 7, 2019

 

INDIANOLA— Services for Eloise B. Harris, 75, of Indianola, who died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Indianola with the Rev. Melvin Matthews officiating.    

Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Gardens under the direction of Byas Funeral Home in Indianola.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. today with family hour beginning at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Eloise Baldwin Harris was born March 18, 1944, in Natchez, the daughter of the Rev. Shead Baldwin Sr. and Irene Rice Baldwin.

She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at King Solomon Baptist Church in Natchez. She attended Adams County public schools and was a 1961 graduate of Sadie V. Thompson High School.

Mrs. Harris continued her academic pursuits at Alcorn State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1965 and furthered her studies in Teacher Education, Leadership and Research at Delta State University.

She married Dave Harris Jr. in 1968, and built their lives together in Indianola, where they resided until her death. She was an educator for 30 years in Indianola, both the elementary and high school level. After retiring from education, she served as the Sunflower County Election Commissioner. Mrs. Harris was an active member of Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she served as Sunday school teacher and actively participated in the choir, the Missionary Society, the Culinary Committee, Mothers’ Ministry and Prayer Ministry. She was also an active member of the Greenwood-Itta Bena Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the National Council of Negro Women, the Mississippi Educators’ Association, the Indianola Educators’ Association and the National Educators’ Association.

Mrs. Harris was known for her community and political activism. She was also known for her delicious desserts and dishes that were often anticipated at friends and family gatherings. She enjoyed spending time quilting and sewing. An avid lover of sports, she often supported her alma mater, Alcorn State University, during football season as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers. She was also an active member of the Alcorn State University Alumni Chapter and a member of the Million Dollar Club due to her generosity in giving back to the institution. She enjoyed travelling and enjoying her life with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Shead Baldwin Jr.; brother-in-law, Prince Borten of Houston; and sister-in-law, Patricia Baldwin of Natchez.

Survivors include her loving and devoted husband, Dave Harris Jr.; four sisters, Dr. Odessa Borten of Houston, Dr. Betty Cade and husband, Bishop Robert Cade, of Natchez, Martha Jean Fairley and husband, Leonard, of Gautier, and Dr. Annie Bass and husband, BJ, of Dallas; two brothers, Roosevelt “Johnny” Baldwin of Natchez and Dr. Jerry Baldwin and wife, Juliet, of Ruston, Louisiana; one adopted brother, James Baldwin and wife, Dora, of Leavenworth, Kansas; three godchildren, Adrian Brown and Naphateria Farrow, both of Indianola, and Dr. Kia Richardson and husband, Shelton, of Grambling, Louisiana; and a number of aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and other relatives and friends.