Mary 'Eloise' Suggs James

Mary 'Eloise' Suggs James passed away peacefully at her home in Bostic, NC on July 24, 2015.

Born in Rutherford County to Walter William Suggs and Eula Mae Christy of Cliffside, NC on May 19, 1929, Eloise was fifth of seven children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Junior James as well as her siblings, Colin Suggs, Gwendolyn "Judy" Suggs Engleman, Marjorie Suggs Sims, and Jack Suggs. Eloise and her husband were married on July 7, 1951.

Eloise was a graduate of Cliffside High School and attended Wake Forest University and Gardner-Webb College. She was a seamstress and worked for Doncaster-Tanner Companies where she retired in 1989. Following retirement she continued to work part-time for the Rutherford County Transit Authority until 1997 when she fully retired. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Forest City.

Survivors include her five children, David H. James and wife Janet of Forest City, Walter Richard James and wife Rebecca of Gaffney, SC, Penny C. James of Asheville, Betsy J. James of Bostic, and Sarah J. Pate and husband Phil of North Myrtle Beach, SC, sisters, Ann Suggs Yarbrough of Marvin, NC, and Elizabeth Suggs Tanner of Milledgeville, GA. a sister-in-law, Jean Suggs of Aiken, SC as well as nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held in the Eternal Hills Memorial Park with Reverend Dr. Neil Haynes officiating.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.