Elouise Irving Harris, Sylvia’s mother, was born January 8, 1920 in Clinton County, Michigan.  She was the first of three daughters.  One week past her eleventh birthday, Elouise’s mother died. 

George, Rachel & children, Leona and Elouise – 1921

In writing of her memories, Elouise told of hoeing weeds in her father’s mint fields.  Here is part of that story: “Dad bought us coveralls to wear when hoeing mint.  Fine but made of jeans material and they covered everything but the face from the neck up and the hands.  So when we went to town we would be brown as a berry from the wrist down and the neck and face up but white elsewhere and worse yet they were hot so we unbuttoned the neck, which made a very decorative “V” and looked very good with a rounded neckline dress.”

A youthful Elouise spoofs for the family in her dad’s duds.

Sixteen-year-old Elouise was Clinton County’s first Mint Queen.  Until her death she supported the Mint Festival, and they honored her in return.

Elouise rides in the rumble seat – 1988

Here is another account from her memories: “Dad had two horses, Kit and Molly.  He really liked those horses – they were matched. He used them for cultivating and farm work.  One year he had a fellow who didn’t know much about horses.  It was a hot day and he didn’t let them rest very often.  Molly went down in the traces and they couldn’t get her up.  So she died there and dad buried her.  That fellow got fired.  Dad was really angry.  Then he got another horse called Dick.  Kit lived for quite a while after that and Dick after her.  Soon after Molly died dad started using tractors so Kit and Dick’s last years were relaxed.”

Elouise with daughter Sylvia at Glen Lake – ca. 1946

She was married to Leon Nelson Harris December 9, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan.  They had five children: Joyce, Karen, Sylvia, Bruce and Gaylynn.

Leon, Elouise, Joyce, Sylvia, Bruce and Karen – Christmas 2000

Elouise was a seamstress and worked many years for Sears in Lansing.  She was also very active in her church — particularly the missions program.
In March 2001 she suffered a stroke while sitting at her computer one evening.  Her husband, Leon, found her and rushed her to the hospital.  Unfortunately, she passed away Sunday, April 1, 2001.