Eloise Greenwood Litaker

Eloise was born at Roaring River, Wilkes County, N.C. to parents Zera and Charles Harris Greenwood. Because her school ended at the sixth grade, she went to high school at Mitchell College in Statesville, NC, graduating as Valedictorian of her class. She attended Meredith College, graduating with honors in chemistry, then taught in the high schools of High Point and Gastonia, NC. She worked for several years in a physics testing lab at the Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C., a significant accomplishment for a female in science in the late 1920s. In 1931, after a long courtship, she married Charles Hart Litaker. The couple returned to Charlotte, where he founded the Charles H. Litaker Insurance Agency, which is still in business today. When her husband died in 1955, she assumed the role of President of the agency until her sons were old enough to join her, staying involved in the business for a number of years.

Eloise was active in the United Methodist Church, serving on the District Mission Board, which started new churches in Mecklenburg County. She was an active member of Myers Park United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She had a special place in her heart for the homeless. For her 100th birthday, she asked that her family donate to the Uptown Shelter in lieu of gifts, raising more than $10,000 for the charity.

She loved to travel and was curious about the world, taking numerous trips around the globe and keeping up to date with politics and financial markets. She also enjoyed playing the piano and walking in her neighborhood. Bridge games with friends occupied part of her free time, especially in later life.

Her family was very important to her. From an early age, she valued knowledge and contributed to the education of all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As the matriarch of a large family, she was most proud of their accomplishments. She will be greatly missed by all.

When asked how she sustained such a long life, she would reply, “Be positive and think happy thoughts.”

She is survived by her three children, Charles Litaker Jr., Dan Litaker and his wife Linda and Eloise Kerns and her husband William, all of Charlotte. She also leaves her 11 grandchildren: Linda Leopard (Ed), Charlie Litaker, Lisa Hathcock (Todd), Hans Litaker (Lisa), Anna Reimers (Ryan), Sally Tanner (Henry), Dan Litaker III (Link), Archie Litaker (Amy), Luci Heeseman (Stephen), Jennifer Kerns and Katherine Hofer (Christian). Her large family includes 21 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Charles Litaker Sr.; her sister, Suzie Sistare; her brother, Charles Greenwood; her daughter-in-law, Joy Litaker; and her grandson, Marshall Litaker.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers, Susan Evans and Darlene Penland, and all the people from Hospice and Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region (especially Nanette Norman) for their kindness and loving care during the last year of her life.

Pallbearers will include six of her grandsons: Hans Litaker, Dan Litaker III, Archie Litaker, Stephen Heeseman, Todd Hathcock, and Ryan Reimers.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region, 1420 E 7th St. Charlotte, N.C. 28204.

A private family service will be held at the graveside.