Eloise Blake Keith

Eloise Blake Keith passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at her home in Haughton, Louisiana. The family will receive friends from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2025, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Haughton. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation with Dr. Gevan Spinney and Pastor Tim Keith officiating. Graveside services will be at Hillcrest after the funeral.

Eloise was born November 7, 1936, in Ringgold, Louisiana, to Truman A. Blake and Emma Ree Blake. She graduated from Ringgold High School in 1954 where she was a star basketball player. After moving to Shreveport, she began working at Arkla Gas Company. It was during that time her roommate set her up on a blind date at Walgreens Drugstore in downtown Shreveport with James “Bo” Keith. She and Bo were married November 27, 1957, at Haughton Baptist Church by Brother Melton Prothro and they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past year.

Eloise and Bo lived in Coushatta, Louisiana, briefly after they married and moved back to Bo’s hometown of Haughton in 1960 where they became faithful members of Haughton Baptist Church, now First Baptist Haughton. Eloise taught the 3 year old Sunday School class for many years, worked in Vacation Bible School, was part of the nursing home ministry, participated in Honor Society, and enjoyed singing with the Gloryland Singers. She especially loved her Sunday School class and looked forward to the times she spent with them on trips and at monthly class meetings.

In 1959, after the birth of their son, Gregg, Eloise became a stay at home mom and housewife who devoted her time to lovingly caring for her family. In 1985, she began working as the secretary for her family’s timber company, LaTex Timber and worked there until her retirement in 2004.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, her mother-in- law Annie Mae Keith, father-in-law, Cullen B. Keith, Sr., sister-in-law, Joyce Keith, brother-in-law, Cullen B. Keith, Jr., four brothers: David Collinsworth, Allan Blake, Mickey Blake, and Joe Earl Blake.

She is survived by her husband, James “Bo” Keith, her son, Gregg Keith. She is also survived by her three grandchildren: Jason Keith wife Tasha, Nicole Keith Coburn husband Randy, Josh Keith wife Kristen. She leaves behind nine great grandchildren, Jaycie Keith, Jaden Keith, Kyelor Coburn, Kelsey Coburn Woodle husband Rhett, Kinley Coburn, Addye Keith, Jaxx Keith, Jake Keith, Hannah Claire Craft, and one great-great granddaughter, Gracelynn Woodle. She is also survived by her sister, Annie Mary Blake Haynie husband Jerry, two sisters-in-law: Sue Blake and Charmaine Blake.

Serving as Eloise’s pallbearers will be Jason Keith, Josh Keith, Jaden Keith, Randy Coburn, Kyelor Coburn, Bryant “Bo” Keith, Michael Keith, John Keith, and Lonnie Shaw. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Mens’ #1 Sunday School Class at First Baptist Haughton.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ted Warren for the years of compassionate care he provided to Eloise. They would also like to thank Eloise’s dear friend, Jane Willett, for providing loving care to her and Bo for many years and for staying with them and being so kind to them during this difficult time. Thanks also go to Roland Messier, Dee Messier, and Susan Salter, for the many meals they prepared for Eloise and Bo, for all the times they visited, ran errands for them, and helped care for them.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Haughton or the Gideons International