“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint”. Isaiah 40:31, KJV In the early morning hours of February 21, 2019, before the break of dawn, Eloise Lomax Harris completed her earthly journey. She peacefully entered into the loving arms of her Savior, going to her eternal home in the same way that she lived — in expectant prayer.
Eloise was born on October 21, 1932, to Orel Mernetter Beverly in Weir, Mississippi as the eldest of two siblings. She was raised by her maternal aunt and uncle, Musetta and George Lomax, in Beloit Wisconsin, where she also attended school. Blessed with a loving childhood, Eloise thought of George and Musetta as her parents.
She was reared in a strong Christian home and accepted Jesus as her Savior as a youth at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Beloit. This strong foundation and love for Christ became the cornerstone of Eloise’s entire life. She loved the LORD and everyone who knew HER knew THAT!
As a teenager, Eloise relocated to Pittsburgh, PA to live with her mother, Mernetter. After a while, she met and married Paul S. Harris, Sr. in August 1951. This union was blessed with seven children.
Her Family was very important to her. She loved her family! She looked forward to all family gatherings – birthdays, holidays, cookouts and especially family reunions through the years.
She stressed the importance of the family sticking together. Eloise was a Caregiver at heart. Her primary profession was a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at the Veteran’s Administration hospital in Pittsburgh.
Born out of her caring spirit, she lovingly cared for patients at the VA hospital for ten years, until illness caused her employment there to end. With her work not yet done, she became a Caregiver for the family of Dr. and Mrs. D. Martin in Penn Hills for several years, where she developed a loving relationship with the children in her care. Her final caregiving assignment was to return to Beloit to live with her mother, Musetta.
Eloise gratefully cared for her mother for several years until the LORD called her home on New Year’s Eve, 2002 at the blessed age of 100 years old. Eloise was a true servant of Christ. She was a choir member and usher; she faithfully attended church services, and loved Bible Study and reading her Bible.
Most importantly, she was a well-known Prayer Warrior and evangelist. In her senior years, she earned the title ‘Mother Harris’ at her church. Family, friends, church members and others could call on Mother Harris at any time to pray for them.
She was a compassionate listener and always had a kind word and an exhortation to give about trusting God for any situation. When someone would tell her a concern, her response was often “Let’s pray about that right now”. And she would pray fervently on the spot.
As a witness for Christ, she would often advise people to trust Him and accept Him as Savior. She didn’t want anyone to risk leaving earth without Christ. She had several favorite scriptures and used them wisely to minister both to herself and to those in need of a Word from the LORD.
Eloise was preceded in death by Paul S. Harris, Sr., her parents, Mernetter Beverly, and George & Musetta Lomax, sister Alfreda Thompson, son Cornell Harris and daughter Eloise Teresa Harris. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children, Debra L. Harris, Reverend Paul S. Harris Jr. (Carla), Bruce Harris (Joyce) of Silver Spring, MD, Rodney Harris, Lisa Harris of Fredericksburg, VA, Philip Knight, and Kara Jackson of York,PA. 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.
Eloise has truly mounted up with wings like an eagle and is in His Presence, rejoicing. Her spirit lives on in the hearts of those who love her and were touched by her life.
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