I am 83 years old!

On Wednesday we traveled to Spencer to celebrate Mom's 83rd birthday. Everyone enjoyed a delicious spread of grilled meats, casseroles, and salads. Suster Judy made a beautiful strawberry cake for her mother with layers of cream frosting mixed with fresh strawberries and blueberries. David Vierra, added two homemade apple pies to the dessert table. Maria Vierra, and Louise Garrett also celebrated with this special lady.

Here is an except from an article I submitted to her local newspaper. Thought you all would enjoy Mom's background information.

Eloise Meads was born in Gardner, Kansas, the daughter of Ben and Olive Davis. Her father was a Methodist minister, who was transferred to Billings, Montana, when Eloise was a girl. She graduated from high school in Billings and began college courses to become a teacher.

Eloise first started her teaching experience at McLeod Elementary School in McLeod, Montana from September 1943 to January, 1944. She was the only teacher in a one-room school and taught grades one through eight. During World War II, Eloise enlisted in the WAVES – a branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve. On February 7, 1944, Eloise left Livingston, Montana by troop train to start her career in the WAVES with training in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She completed additional training in the Bronx, New York, and was then assigned to Camp Elliott, San Diego, California. This is where she met her Navy husband, Jim. They were married 44 years until his death in 1989.

Eloise worked as a substitute teacher in Calhoun, Kanawha, and Roane Counties and then became secretary of Spencer High School for four years. In 1965, she moved to the Roane County Board of Education Office where she became Bookkeeper and Head Financial Secretary and held those positions until her retirement in 1984.

She is a member of the St. Johns Methodist church, the Susanna Wesleyan Circle, and is past President of the Roane County Retired Teachers Association. Eloise was active in the establishment of the Committee on Aging in its current facility. She also worked to gather furnishings, books, and displays for the one-room school house at Heritage Park and frequently serves as a hostess there during community celebrations. She is a member of the Novelty Club and Helping Hands. She represented Roane County as a Belle at the West Virginia Folk Festival in Glenville.

Eloise enjoys visiting with friends and family and loves watching the birds and other animals that come to her yard.