Eloise Freeman Carver died peacefully in her home and went to be with her Lord and Savior April 25, 2023. She was born in Shamrock, LA, March 5, 1923. Eloise lived a long and healthy life to 100 years old and was always happy, passing that happiness to those around her. She was the daughter of Harvey Milton Freeman and Della Harkins Freeman.
Eloise was a graduate of Leesville High School in Leesville, LA. Shortly after graduation, she married James Earl “Jimmy” Carver, the father of her two children Carol and Sharon. World War II began, and her husband enlisted, leaving her at home to give birth to her daughter Carol. When he was sent to California for a brief time, Eloise boarded a train and made the long trip to California where she found work in a peach factory so that she could spend time with him. Most of her life was spent as a homemaker until the Carvers moved to Ruston, LA in 1965 to operate Shipley Donuts. What had been a simple donut shop became a full restaurant and a local favorite for all who ate there. Following Jimmy’s death in 1977, Eloise sold the business.
The rest of Eloise’s life was spent with her lifelong friend and companion, James Merle Otwell. Together they enjoyed traveling and achieved their goal of visiting all 48 continental states. Further, they were both huge Lady Techster and Bulldog fans and hardly ever missed a game for decades. They had a very deep and abiding love for each other, and Merle was with Eloise until the end, providing care and companionship. Eloise was an avid reader, sometimes reading a book each day. She could enter into discussions about sports, current events, famous people, Hollywood movie stars, and just about any subject mentioned with people of all ages because she did read so much. Eloise and her daughter Sharon had a very special bond and enjoyed shopping, traveling, and spending time together all of her life. She loved her family dearly and traveled to Arkansas to be with them every holiday, birthday, and many times throughout each year, as she was an active part of her grandson Justin and his wife Marcy’s lives as well as her two great grandchildren Sloan and Grey. Eloise was a natural caregiver when helping her friends and neighbors when they became sick until eventually outliving every one of them. She was an outstanding cook, and the entire family looked forward to Nonny’s dressing for holidays. Eloise was a lovely lady who always looked years younger than her actual age and seemed to get prettier with each passing year. All who are left agree she was a pretty amazing person and will be missed every single day.
Eloise is survived by her husband James Merle Otwell; daughter Ginny; daughter Carol Lynn Davini of Weatherford, TX and her son Davin; daughter Sharon Ann Mercer and her husband Robert of Searcy, AR and their sons: Justin Mercer (Marcy), Mark Mercer (Teresa), and Greg Mercer (Monica); special nieces Marilyn Borrell and Melissa Butler and family; great nephews Todd Borrell and J. B. “Tripp” Glenn, III; great-grandchildren: Sloan Elizabeth Mercer, Walker Grey Mercer, and Hayden Jonathan Mercer (Paige) all of Searcy, AR, Christopher Calon Mercer (Kandice) of Jacksonville, FL, Ryker Joseph Davini, Brock Stratton Davini, Brett Weston Davini, and Kendrick Todd Browning of Weatherford, TX, and Michael Wayne Hill (Brooke) and family of Ruston; two great, great-grandchildren Baker Graham and Collins Renee Mercer.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Ginny Skipper Otwell for her unwavering care and compassion during Eloise’s last months.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Friday, April 28, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston.
Private graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Greg Tipton of Mineral Springs Baptist Church in Pea Ridge, LA officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
