Eloise Morris (Lansing)

It is with pain of heart and joy in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gave His life for our salvation that we remember today and celebrate the life of our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend!

Eloise Russ Morris who was called from her earthly tabernacle to her everlasting home in Heaven on January 16, 2019 at the blessed age of 83. Eloise was born December 26, 1935 in Martin, Tennessee to Royal L. and Gladys L. (Turner) Russ. She graduated from Weakley County High School.

She professed her hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church by Rev. F. J. Waters. As a young girl, Eloise sang in the youth choir and was active in the Baptist Training Union. She left Martin, Tennessee as a young adult, and relocated to Lansing, Michigan following her brothers, John and Barton Russ, cousins, Carrie Dabney and Marion Armstrong. Eloise first marriage was to William Gardner. She joined Friendship Baptist Church and her life in Lansing flourished. The old family traditions of celebrating family continued with cooking BIG dinners and family gatherings continued.

Eloise became more determined and courageous as she matured resulting in greater success in life. In 1965, she met and married Mansfield Morris, a loving marriage that lasted 53 years! She saw an opportunity to become a barber and energetically went for it full of faith. She worked days and went to barber school in Detroit, Michigan at night. This was a daunting task, but her goal was in sight from the beginning and she finished as eagerly as she began. As God had helped Eloise in the past, He continued to be her Jehovah Jireh, who gave her the help to open and operate her own business, Nu Way Hair Care Center. Once her new business was fully operational, she had her pastor, Rev. J. E. Graves come and bless her and the business. God sent His angels of protection, and she was eternally grateful. Following the passing of Rev. J. E. Graves, Eloise joined Galilee Baptist Church. There she served faithfully in a number of auxiliaries: usher board, adult choir, mother’s board and director of the praise dance ministry until her health prevented her from doing so.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory one daughter, Crystal K. Morris; five sons, William Dwight (Vicki) Gardner, Orby Dwayne Gardner, Darryl Lark Gardner, Kenneth (Patricia) Muata Morris-Omowale, Kevin Morris; one brother, Gerald Hays Russ; two sisters, Tommie Jean (James) Coleman, Pansy Elizabeth Patrick and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Mansfield Morris; sister, Willard Adair Russ; two brothers, John Royal Russ, Barton Bonstra Russ.