Elouise Sherrill Barnes

Weighing in at just 3-½ pounds, little Elouise Sherrill came into this world on August 23, 1922.

So tiny, her mother Dawn, and her father, Pola, decided that a shoe box would make a perfect little bed for her.

One of five children, little Elouise was always a half-pint, but could keep up with her siblings and friends in her hometown of Crossville, Tennessee.

She loved to play basketball; she loved to play in the dirt and follow her daddy around as he plowed the fields on their farm. Her favorite companion was Old Bess, the family’s horse.

The Sherrill family lived on one of the original homesteads -- and her father was one of hundreds who helped build the field stone homes and sturdy barns on the rolling hills of Crossville. Elouise was always very proud that her family helped establish the town. She would often relay vivid memories of this time in her life.

At the ripe old age of 17, Elouise married Edward Barnes and two of them worked together in the hosiery mill in Crossville. She worked until they started their own family.

Some years later, after Ed returned from serving in the Army, they packed up their children and moved to Detroit for better job opportunities. Elouise recalls the travel from Tennessee to Detroit wasn’t always easy – since the I-75 highway had not been built yet, and they had to travel on back roads.

The Barnes family settled on the east side of Detroit and Elouise went back to work, after Ed became disabled. Always a hard worker, Elouise dedicated 35 years of her life to Marathon Linen and she would always tell her grandchildren about those days, when she would walk to and from work – in all kinds of weather.

Elouise was the beloved wife of Edward until his death in 1976. Loving mother of Josephine (The late Ernest) Locklear, James (Lorraine) Barnes, Brenda (Roy) Green, and Doris (Wayne) Weddle. Dear grandma of Jeffrey Locklear, David (Tara) Locklear, Diane (Dwight) Parker, Kelly (Dave) Dole, Stacy (Dan) Jenkins, Amy (Eric) Schilbe, and Jason (Stephanie) Weddle. Dearest great-grandma of Tyler Locklear, Shelby Locklear, Kalli Locklear, Brandon Locklear, Abby Jenkins, Dakota Parker, Megan Dole, Mackenzie Dole, Evan Jenkins, Tucker Weddle, Jackson Schilbe and Lewis Schilbe. Sister of the late Clarence (the late Henrietta) Sherrill, the late Gladys Sherrill, the late Dorothy (the late Robert) Hall, and Baxter (Jeannie) (and the late Clareta) Sherrill.

Elouise was a fine Christian role model to the three younger generations in her life.

As a young mother, she would take her kids to church every Sunday – and, they would walk to the bus stop, no matter how far and no matter the weather…. They attended Temple Baptist Church on Grand River in Detroit. Her goal was to see all four of her children saved and baptized.

The church moved to West Chicago in Redford, and she eventually became involved in the Children’s Ministry. She loved being with the kids -- and they sure loved Mrs. Barnes!

Elouise especially loved the song service at church and was a HUGE fan of The Templetones! She loved the old classic hymns and even enjoyed the more contemporary worship style after Temple Baptist became North Ridge and moved to Plymouth Township.

She loved music so much, she would invite her three oldest granddaughters when they were still little girls: Diane, Kelly and Stacy over to stay the night at her house quite often, so they could “party” and watch The Lawrence Welk Show and Barbara Mandrell. Her granddaughters remember those extra special Pepsi Floats she would make for them, too. Elouise loved to be around her loved ones and was always up for a party.

In every corner of her life, she was known as being “the sweetest lady,” who was quick with a warm, friendly smile, a comforting hug or a gentle pat on the hand. She walked with God every day of her life, and it showed through the light that always surrounded her.

During her retirement years, she enjoyed southern cooking – of course! And, would often talk about her mother’s delicious fried chicken they would enjoy back on the farm.

When Elouise wasn’t spending time with her four children, 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, she enjoyed crocheting blankets, working crossword puzzles, word searches and jigsaw puzzles. A 500 piece puzzle was no match for Elouise -- right up until late summer, when she completed a beautiful butterfly puzzle with her hospice nurse, Danielle, whom she adored.

She was also an avid newspaper reader and was always so excited when she would see her granddaughter Stacy’s name on articles as the reporter and editor. She would save the papers, just to make sure Stacy knew that she saw them. She was so proud of ALL of her kids and grandkids.

Elouise wasn’t afraid to try new things, even well into her 80s. The family still laughs at the memory of Little Grandma trying her hand at Wii Bowling! Or, the time she climbed all the way to the top of the kids’ playscape, so she could slide down the slide with her great grandkids.

She was always so full of life. Always ready to go see and do – and be surrounded by her family and friends.

Now, this sweet little lady is on to the most incredible adventure of all, where she will walk hand-in-hand with the Lord and be reunited with her husband, siblings and many loved ones.

It’s sure to be quite a party up there in Heaven. And, Elouise will be the brightest child of God to ever grace those golden streets.

The family will receive guests for a Visitation on Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 3-8pm at:

Harry J. Will Funeral Home

37000 Six Mile (Just east of Newburgh)

Livonia, MI 48152.

The Funeral Service, led by Pastor Richard Pingilley, will be on Friday, November 13, 2015 at 10:00am at the funeral home. The musician and vocalist for the service will be Melanie and Maggie Kitchen.

Elouise will be laid to rest with her husband in Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia, Michigan.

Memorial donations may be made in honor of Elouise to:

Assured Hospice Care, Inc.

25180 Lahser Suite 200

Southfield, MI 48033

Ph: (248) 262-2205

http://www.assuredhospicecare.com/

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