young boy. Eleanor was also a devoted sister who returned to Michigan regularly to visit with her siblings, their children and their grandchildren. She took great joy in connecting with others for the sole purpose of uplifting their spirits. Houston and Eleanor were founding members of the First Baptist Church of Kenner where Eleanor worked as the secretary and Houston served as a Deacon. Eleanor devoted herself to her faith and deeply enjoyed her service to the church and its members. Later in life when a stroke took her ability to produce speech, the one word she continued to use as both a greeting and a farewell to was alleluia. Eleanor believed in the innate goodness of all people. The loss of her is deeply felt by her many family and friends. She is survived by her son, John (Kary); her grandson, Geoffrey; her sisters, Marge and Alene; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Meno and Henrietta; her husband, Houston; her sisters, Viola, Henrietta, and Marilyn; and her brother, Chester. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, April 5, 2019 at OAKWOOD VILLAGE UNIVERSITY WOODS IN RESURRECTION CHAPEL, 6025 Mineral Point Road, Madison, with Rev. Martha Nack presiding. Visitation will be from 12:30 pm until the service at Oakwood on Friday. A burial will take place at Hollywood Cemetery in McComb, Mississippi on Friday April 12, 2019. Special thanks to all family members and the many friends from the First Baptist Church of Kenner. Deepest gratitude goes to the generous care of the many staff at Oakwood Village for their unwavering compassion and kindness. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 5801 Hwy 51 McFarland 608-838-0655