Elois Harris
INDIANOLA — Funeral services for Elois Baldwin Harris, 75, of Indianola, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Bell Grove MB Church, Indianola, with the Rev. Melvin Matthews officiating. She died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Gardens, Indianola, under the direction of Byas Funeral Home, Indianola.
Eloise Baldwin Harris was born March 18, 1944, to the late Rev. Shead Baldwin Sr. and Irene Rice Baldwin in Natchez. She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at King Solomon Baptist Church in Natchez. She attended Adams County public schools and graduated from Sadie V. Thompson High School in 1961. Mrs. Harris continued her academic pursuits at Alcorn State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1965. She furthered her studies in Teacher Education, Leadership and Research at Delta State University.
She was married to Dave Harris Jr. in 1968, and they built their lives together in Indianola, where they resided until her death. She was an educator for 30 years in Indianola, at 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 a Sunday School teacher and actively participated in the choir, the Missionary Society, the Culinary Committee Mother’s Ministry, and Prayer Ministry. She was also an active member of he 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 were often anticipated at friend 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 Pittsburg Steelers. She was also an active member of the Alcorn State University Alumnae Chapter and a member of the Million Dollar Club due to her generosity in giving back to the institution. She enjoyed traveling and enjoying her life with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Shead Sr. and Irene Baldwin; and her brother, Shead Baldwin Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband, Dave Harris Jr., of Indianola; four sisters, Dr. Odessa (Prince — deceased) Borten, of Houston, Texas, Dr. Betty (Robert) Cade, of Natchez, Martha Jean (Leonard) Fairley, of Gautier, Dr. Annie (BJ) Bass, of Dallas; two brothers, Roosevelt “Johnny” (Patricia — deceased) Baldwin, of Natchez; Dr. Jerry (Juliet) Baldwin, of Ruston, Louisiana; and an adopted brother, James (Dora) Baldwin, of Leavenworth, Kansas. She also leaves to cherish her memory three godchildren, Adrian Brown, of Indianola, Dr. Kia (Shelton) Richardson, Grambling, Louisiana, and Naphateria Farrow, of Indianola; and a host of aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., with family hour from 4-6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, at Byas Funeral Home, Indianola.
