Eleanor Nabors Lenoir, 97, passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2026. She was born November 29, 1928, in McCondy, Mississippi. She lived a full life centered around family, friendship, laughter, and making memories.
Eleanor completed beauty school ,then worked as a hair stylist and receptionist in hair salons. Her warmth and personality allowed her to connect with many people in the various beauty shops as she worked.
Eleanor was a woman who knew how to enjoy life. She was a country girl from a large family who learned the value of working hard, taking care of others, and finding joy in the everyday moments. She began cooking at a young age, and throughout her life, food was one of the many ways she expressed her love. Her kitchen was a place where people gathered, stories were told, laughter was shared, and memories were made.
On December 21, 1947, Eleanor married Eldridge Griffin Lenoir, a marriage that would last 54 years. They moved to Jackson, where they began raising their family, and later lived in Minden, then Shreveport, Louisiana, where they lived for 39 years.
Eleanor loved to socialize, laugh, play games, and have fun. Many, many games were played throughout her lifetime, and those moments of friendly competition, teasing, laughter, and togetherness became some of the memories her family will hold closest to their hearts. She had a way of making people feel welcome and always insisted on feeding them something.
Eleanor and Eldridge made the most of their retirement years. They traveled together, and loved spending time at their camp on Lake Bisteneau. Their camp became a special place, visiting, laughing, enjoying the outdoors, and making the kind of memories that stay with a family forever.
Eldridge's passing in 2002 changed Eleanor's life. She eventually moved to Denham Springs, Louisiana, to be near her children. In 2016 she moved in with her daughter Ginger, after her house flooded.
She is survived by her son, James E. (Jim) Lenoir and his wife, Elizabeth, of Walker, Louisiana; her daughter, Ginger Lenoir Mitchell, of Denham Springs, Louisiana; her four grandchildren, Richard Lenoir, Sealy Pettavino, Meghan Marcotte, and Justin Mitchell; and seven great-grandchildren; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Eldridge Griffin Lenoir; her father, Clifton Nabors; her mother, Irene Harper Nabors; her brothers, Clifton W. Nabors Jr. and James Nabors; her sisters, Imogene Langford, Omeria Jones, and Virginia Carter; and her son-in-law, Mark Mitchell.
She built a remarkable life and was a woman who understood that the greatest treasures in life were the people sitting around the table.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held graveside at Centuries Memorial Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
