A Time to Be Born

Eloise Walker Byas was born in Blackville, South Carolina, on November 17, 1927. She was the third child of Clarence "Buck" Walker and Lousie May-Walker.

A Time to Build

Eloise attended Ebenezer School. Her spiritual foundation was built at the Frost Branch Missionary Baptist Church. Like many people of her generation, she moved to New York in 1953 in search of better opportunities. She worked for the New York Feather Company. She retired from the company in 1984 and returned to Blackville to care for her aging father.

A Time to Love

She married the late Richmond Byas on February 18, 1954, and they had four children: Beatrice, Wesley, Gerald Ann, and Chatmond. She was a lifelong member of the Frost Branch Missionary Baptist Church and, for several years, the head of the Kitchen Committee, where her love for preparing food and serving others was evident. If there was a sweet potato or coconut pie anywhere, you can bet that Eloise made it! When someone had a favorite dish or meal that she could make, all one had to do was bring her the main ingredients, and she would have it ready within hours. This was one of the ways she showed her love for others. Eloise loved to garden and work in her yard until illness prevented it. She was excited to harvest the crops from her garden, no matter how big or small, and took great pride in making the front of her home look good. She enjoyed the company of her friends at the Blackville Senior Center.

A Time to Say Goodbye

Eloise slept away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. She was 96 years old and just 11 days away from turning 97. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richmond Byas (1927 – 1995); her son, Chatmond, (1950 – 2019); her sister, Girlen Greene-Hayes (1923 – 1954) and her brother, Phelounis Walker (1925 – 1997).

She is survived by her daughter, Beatrice Hicks of Blackville, SC; her son, Wesley Byas, Sr. (Dianne); daughter, Gerlad Ann Creech (Jerry); and her daughter-in-love, Cora S. Byas. Her legacy lies with her 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren; 2 brothers-in-law; 4 sisters-in-law and a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will carry fond memories.