Eloise Placker

Funeral services for Eloise Placker, 88 of Apple Springs will be held Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church Groveton with Brother Keith Jones and Brother Matt Sharrock officiating. Interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery in Groveton.

Eloise Placker, beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, friend, and wife, entered into God’s heavenly kingdom on January 17, 2024.

Eloise was born on January 9, 1936 to Zemmer and Brownie (Harvell) Collins in North Cedar Creek, Trinity County. She spent her entire childhood playing and growing up with her beloved sister, Lynn, (whom she said she never had an argument) as well as cousins Mary Lee, Son, and Evelyn. She also remained best friends through her entire life with Janelle Jones, Frankie Edwards, and Frances Worsham.

After graduating from Apple Springs High School, Eloise studied business at Pineywoods Business School. She rode with her mother in a quadrille horse riding club that performed at various local rodeos. During this time, she was also named as the Angelina County Rodeo Queen.

In 1955, Eloise met a handsome young guy from Diboll named Charles. He would prove to be the love of her life. They wed a year later, going on to raise three daughters, Hilda Evans, Laura Placker, and Gina Guidry. She was also blessed to have a bonus daughter, Beverly Luce. All four of these girls grew up to be lifelong educators.

While the first part of her marriage was spent as a housewife and mom, during the second part she became a trust officer in the Lufkin National Bank trust department. There she was known for going out of her way to personally support each of her customers just like family.

Eloise and Charles went on their first cruise in 1980 with about 20 of their friends. After that they were hooked. They spent every chance they could sailing away with family and friends. Eloise especially enjoyed planning the events on each stop and making sure everyone got involved in the fun activities on the ship.

Eloise spent her adult life uplifting and serving those around her. She was a comfort to those in need and a joy to all. She really enjoyed taking care of her family, friends, and her church family. She was a master of homemade pies and cakes and almost any kind of Southern cooking. For a while, she even made her amazing cheesecakes and pecan pies for a local restaurant.

A loyal servant of the Lord, Eloise spent many hours volunteering on the benevolence committee at First Baptist Church in Groveton caring for those who had lost loved ones.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, Zemmer and Brownie Collins; sister and brother-in-law, Lynn and WB Due; and her son-in-law, Jimmy Guidry.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Placker; daughters and sons-in-law, Hilda and Kris Evans, Laura Placker, Gina Guidry, and Beverly and David Luce; grandchildren, Kristal and Josh Enyart, Hillery Evans, Jessica and Michiel Bridges, Lauren and Brandon Morton, Jacy Guidry, Darby and Tyler Griffin, Holly and Matt Knippa, Amanda and Billy Bennett and Cody and Susan Luce.  Also, she was blessed with thirteen great-grandchildren and a multitude of family and friends.

Eloise passed into the arms of our Lord and we remind ourselves that while this is the end of her physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful life in heaven.

Mom, you will always be in our hearts and we will never forget the memories we made with you.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Morton, Journey Tinsley, Michiel Bridges, Josh Enyart, Matt Knippa, and Jason Due.

The family would like to express special thanks to her caregivers, Lilianna Castaño, Kay Grohman, Judy Beasley, and Brenda Thompson, for the love and support they provided to the family.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.