Eloise Robinson Hope

Eloise Hope, age 89, of Columbus passed away on January 8, 2013. The former Eloise Robinson, she was the daughter of the late Robert Thompson Robinson and Pearl Norwood Robinson. She was also predeceased by her brother, Robert Thompson Robinson. Born in Columbus on January 2, 1924, Eloise was a lifelong resident of this city. After graduating from Jordan High School in 1942, she attended Auburn University. In 1947, she met and married the late Walter Preston Hope, with whom she had three children. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, taking an active and supportive interest in all their lives.

Eloise had a wonderful sense of humor and “spark,” which brightened every life she touched. She was particularly well known for her unique ability to confound listeners by speaking in a seamless blend of normal speech and meaningless syllables, or “doubletalk.” To the delight of her friends (and at their frequent request), Eloise enjoyed befuddling an unsuspecting subject by asking a series of earnest but unintelligible questions in doubletalk, to which the subject struggled to answer.

Ms. Hope worked at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for more than 10 years, initially as a secretary and then as Membership Director, working closely with leaders of the civic and business community to further the city of Columbus. While at the Chamber, she continued to develop her natural ability to doubletalk as a professional speaker.

Her professional speaking career first began when she was asked by a friend to give a speech in doubletalk to a convention at Callaway Gardens. Thereafter, almost solely by word of mouth, her reputation as a humorous speaker spread around the country. Introduced as a serious speaker with impressive credentials, she spoke in many guises, including as an educator, economic consultant, physician, criminologist, horticulturist, banker and professional engineer. She eventually left the Chamber to focus on her career as a “Speaker with a Secret.” By the time she retired at the age of 80, Eloise had spoken to conventions and conferences in more than 40 states, and in Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico.

For most of her adult life, Eloise was a member of the Country Club of Columbus, where she enjoyed playing tennis for many years. She also enjoyed watching televised tennis tournaments and one of her fondest memories was attending the historic semifinals day at the 1984 U.S. Open Tennis Championships.

Eloise was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years, serving in a variety of roles. In 2010, she helped organize a “satellite church” at Spring Harbor Assisted Living, where residents gathered to watch a televised worship service and sing hymns together.

Eloise was intelligent and well-read. She mastered the use of the computer, and closely followed current events and the stock market into the last year of her life. She was also a talented cook and enjoyed watching cooking shows and collecting cookbooks from her travels around the country. In 2006, Eloise moved to Spring Harbor, where she spent some of the happiest years of her life, making new friends and becoming reacquainted with old friends. She served as a greeter to newcomers, played ping pong, made new friends and enjoyed the many activities Spring Harbor had to offer, and continued to delight those around her with her doubletalk.

Eloise Hope is survived by daughters Robin Pearce (Tom) of Marietta, GA, Kathy Lansberry (Reg) of Smyrna, GA, and son William H. (Bill) Hope II (Julie), of Atlanta; four grandchildren: Fran Pearce Hinsdale (Jack) of Greenville, SC; Hope Pearce Witters (Matt) of Tallahassee, FL; Hanna Ellen Hope, and Daniel Preston Hope of Atlanta; and four great-grandchildren: Bates and Anna Pearce Hinsdale of Greenville, SC; and Pearce and Ellison Witters of Tallahassee, FL.

The family is grateful for the devoted and loving care Eloise received in the last years of her life from Dr. Jamal Mohyuddin and the staff at Spring Harbor, and most recently from Columbus Hospice.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate the life of Eloise Hope at 2:00 on Friday, January 11 at First Presbyterian Church. Following the service the family will receive friends. For those wishing to make a memorial gift, contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 First Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901.