Eloise Hardin McKenna

Eloise H McKenna left this world peacefully to rest for eternity in heaven on Wednesday, May 29th, 2019. A West Virginia native, she was born in Panther and raised in Welch, she attended Welch High School and graduated in 1945. Upon Graduation, she attended Queens College in Charlotte, NC where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. After five years of courtship, she married Jack McKenna on July 31st, 1954 with whom she spent the next fifty-seven years until his passing in 2011. The family relocated to Chattanooga, TN in 1960 with their three young children in tow, then transferred to Raleigh, NC in 1976 until retirement in 1987, when they returned to Chattanooga. She enhanced the lives of countless young minds throughout her career of thirty-eight years as a middle school math teacher. Eloise was the personification of Christian ideals and held a deep love and respect for the Catholic Church. She was a supportive wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend to all who met her. She had a profound love for "Dixieland Jazz," and with her husband, Jack, regularly attended Jazz Festivals across America where they earned the reputation as the "King and Queen of Swing" with their dancing skills.

She enjoyed bridge, gardening, community involvement, and volunteering her time for the betterment of society.

Special thanks to her daughter Mary Hertel and son David McKenna whose sacrifice and loving care provided a comfortable environment for Eloise in the later years of her life. Thanks also to Dominion Senior Living of Hixson, TN and Hospice of Chattanooga for their comfort and care over the past couple of months.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack McKenna, Parents Claire and Leonard Hardin, and brothers Bernard and Leonard Hardin. Survivors are her daughter, Mary Hertel of Hixson, TN; sons David (Suzy) McKenna of Hixson, TN and Tom (Andrea) McKenna of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Brittney McKenna, Olivia McKenna, Ana McKenna, Alex Collier, Carrie (Michael) Phillips, Samantha Hertel, and step-granddaughters Laura Brooker, Dana Hample, and Cindy Ball. The family will receive friends from 10am until 11am on Thursday June 6th at St. Jude Catholic Church followed by a funeral mass at 11am. Burial will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Tennessee Golf Foundation, Chattanooga Region, 499 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069. Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Hwy 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Share your memories online at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.