Eloise Elizabeth Schumann, a gracious and faithful follower, found her way to the Heavenly Father she so worshiped, pursued and served every day of her life, on January 7, 2019.

Born June 27,1926 in Rome, Georgia to the late Elbert Cecil Murdock and Rachel (Irene) Murdock (nee Tucker), Eloise was the fifth eldest of the couple's seven children, all of whom literally grew up in the church.

Her father was music director at the First Baptist Church of Rome - her five brothers (Donald, Robert, Elbert C, Jackson and William), and a sister, Martha, and she were all active and involved. Brothers, E.C. (Betty) of Houston, Texas; Jack (Nancy) of Cumming, Ga.; and Bill (Mary) of Decatur, Ga., survive her.

Eloise studied secretarial sciences at Shorter College and was to parlay this early foundation into a life of teaching Sunday school classes, reading the Bible daily, fervently studying the Word, and reaching out to and assisting others as a church leader, along with her husband of 55 years, Clayton Edward Schumann, from Cleveland, Ohio, who predeceased her in 2000.

The couple, too, was blessed with seven children: Susan Truscello (Robert) of Waxhaw, N.C.; Deborah Maurer (Alan) of Buena Vista; Judith Schumann-Williams of Buena Vista; Clay Schumann (Linda) of Stuart, Fla.; twins, Rebecca Schumann of Dalton, Ga., and Martha Collins (Chris) of Bloomington, Ind.; and, Mark Schumann (Denise), formerly of Stuart, who predeceased her in 2007.

Eloise's husband, Clay, who came out of World War II with two Purple Hearts, first met Eloise at a USO dance in Rome, where she said he "commandeered my dance card," sweeping this stately beauty off her feet, and proposing to her just weeks later. They first moved to Richmond, Va., where Clay worked for the Veterans Administration. They then moved to Parma, Ohio, near Cleveland, where he started a construction company; and later made career moves to Medina, Ohio; Hialeah, Fla.; Strongsville, Ohio; and Stuart, Fla.; after which she, in 2005, moved to Buena Vista.

Eloise is survived by 16 loving grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, several devoted nephews and nieces, and many loyal neighbors and friends at Buena Vista Baptist Church - all for whom she gave thanks daily. One grandson, Jordan Schumann, son of Clay and Linda, was killed serving his country in Afghanistan in 2011. Asked recently how she was able to cope with this and the other life challenges she faced raising a big family, Eloise said: "I always knew that God had my back."

The family wishes to extend its gratitude to all of our Mom's friends, with a special tribute and thanks to the staffs at Havenwood, the Shenandoah Rehab Center, and Rockbridge Area Hospice for their loving support and attention.

Arrangements are in the care of Bolling, Grose and Lotts Funeral Home.

A memorial service celebrating Eloise's life will be held at Buena Vista Baptist Church, 2174 Chestnut Avenue, on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Byron LePere presiding. The family will receive friends directly following the service in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that a simple act of kindness to a stranger would best reflect Eloise's essence.