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Eloise Bailey Grant, 72, of Magnolia, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, in Shreveport, La.

Born Sept. 23, 1935, in Farmerville, N.C., she was the second of three daughters born to Robert “Bob” and Esther “Pat” (Ellis) Bailey. She graduated from Magnolia High School in 1954. In 1955 she married Howard W. “Howdy” Grant Jr. In 1957 Howdy entered the military and she spent the next 20 years as a military wife following his career. In 1975 they returned home to Magnolia. In her early years Eloise spent some time modeling and was also a talented interior designer. She always enjoyed spending time with her family and playing bridge with her friends. Even in retirement she continued to play an active role in the funeral business, spending the last four years as co-owner and operator of Bailey Funeral Homes and Bailey Mortuaries, Inc. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Magnolia.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Howdy.

Those left to cherish her memory include a son, Howard Steve Grant and his fiance’, Teresa Smith, of Benton, La.; a daughter, Lydia Grant Smith and her husband, Conny, of Springhill, La., five grandsons, Ed Grant and his wife, Brooke, of Springhill, Zackery Grant of Knoxville, Tenn., Heath Grant and his wife, Caroline, of Brister, Cody Grant and his wife, Samantha, of Springhill, and Tate Smith of Springhill; two great-granddaughters, Claire Grant of Springhill, and Ensley Grant of Brister; two sisters, Joyce Neel and her husband, Leon, of Coldspring, Texas, and Wanda Kay Farrington and her husband, Aubrey, of Benton; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bubba Smith officiating. Interment followed in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Magnolia.

Pallbearers were Cody Grant, Ed Grant, Heath Grant, Tate Smith, Troy Smith and Russell Farrington.

Honorary pallbearers were Larry Burrow, Michael Fess, Aubrey Farrington, Leon Neel and Conny Smith.

Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or First United Methodist Church.

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