Eloise Carolyn Markley, age 92, went to see Jesus face to face on Monday, September 9, 2024 in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. She was born to Ira Dell Turner (1900-1961) and Anne Carol (Harper) Turner (1897-1994) on December 4, 1931 in Montverde, Lake County, Florida. Although her birthplace was in Montverde, she always considered Parrish, Manatee County, Florida as her hometown and there made her profession of faith in the First Baptist Church of Parrish.
Eloise was preceded in death by her first husband, Ned Finch, (the father of their only child) and her second husband, Lawrence Clark Markley, Sr. She is survived by a loving family that includes her only child, Susan Elaine Finch Helms (Richard) of Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, her stepchildren Julia Kate Markley of Lakeland, Roy Joseph Markley of Winter Haven, Florida, her sister-in-law Mary Frances (Robinson) Turner (Kenneth) of Summerfield, Florida, and five nieces: Constance Louise Turner Battiste (David) of Mobile, Alabama; Carol Diane Turner McCormack (Neil) of Jacksonville, Florida; Alma Jane Turner Roper (Ken) of O’Brien, Florida; Lisa Annette Turner Bounds (Benny) of Walker, Louisiana; and Sheryl Dianne Turner of Summerfield, Florida. Eloise was also preceded in death by her sister, Iris Lucille; her brothers, Ira Douglas Turner, Leonard Turner, and Kenneth Richard Turner; her nephew Kenneth Richard Turner, Jr.; and stepson Lawrence Clark Markley, Jr.
In 1951, Eloise went to work at Publix in Bartow until 1953. In 1962, Eloise became the first female crossing guard in Polk County while employed by the Bartow Police Department. During the summer when school was not in session, she rode a Cushman scooter while working as a meter maid for BPD. Her next employment would be in 1963 as an administrative assistant with the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. After thirty years with the BOCC, she retired.
In 2002, Eloise relocated to Lake City and enjoyed many friendships there while being an active member in many clubs and societies. She moved back to Lakeland in 2015. Her club and society memberships include these: United Daughters of the Confederacy, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, National Society Magna Charta Dames, Newcomers Club of Lake City, and the Red Hat Society.
Eloise’s main enjoyment in life was traveling, and she always maintained that everyone should, “Go while you can because one day you won’t be able to.” Of course, her favorite destination was always the Smoky Mountains and especially Gatlinburg, Tennessee via Savannah, Georgia.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Parrish where a funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment at Parrish Cemetery will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Parrish Cemetery Association (P. O. Box 308, Parrish, FL 34219).
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIOCOMPARTA
v.1.11.6