Eloise Lunsford Powell

Powell, Eloise LunsfordEloise was a homemaker, a long-time resident of Brandon, MS, who had been living in Baton Rouge with her daughter since March, 2010.  She was born in Zwolle, LA and raised in Lauderdale, MS.  She died Saturday, April 2, 2016, at 9 pm at Landmark of Baton Rouge Nursing Home at age 85 from congestive heart failure.  There will be a graveside service at Center Ridge Cemetery, Lauderdale, MS at 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 7, 2016 officiated by Rev. Joey Beeson of Florida Boulevard Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA.  Eloise is survived by her husband, Edsel H. "Bill" Powell; children, Rodney Powell (Wife: Mary Kate), Glenda Townsend (Husband: Lannie), and Douglas Powell (wife: Becky); brother, Bobbi Ray Lunsford; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her parents, William E. and Rowena Lunsford; brothers William Lunsford, Jr and Herbert L. Lunsford; and her grandson, W. Brent Townsend. She graduated valedictorian Lauderdale High School, 1947 and was a longtime member First Baptist Church of Brandon then Brandon Baptist Church.  Eloise served others in a million different ways every day. She had a passion for children, served as a GA leader, worked in VBS and doted on and mentored her grandchildren.  She is remembered for being able to handle anything life threw her way with little drama and extreme efficiency, for her "you can do anything you set your mind to" attitude, and for passing that down to her children and grandchildren, for making those she came in contact with feel special and loved, and for her constant service to others.