Eloise Harper Keen Balmer

ELOISE HARPER KEEN BALMER, 91, passed on to her heavenly home on Aug. 13. A native of Malvern, she was the daughter of the late Amos Winlock and Lillie Harper. After attending Little Rock Business College, she spent most of her career as a medical secretary and at the Commission of Higher Education. She also served as a physician's aide and helped to deliver countless babies. During WWII, she worked on warships in California. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Milton Keen and Daniel T. Balmer; her brothers, Lyle Harper, Elwood Harper, Donald W. Harper, and Dean Harper; sister, Bernice Bailey; and a niece, Linda Taylor. Survivors include two step-daughters, Jan Bates of Heathsville, Va. and Ruth "Bebe" Young of West Chester, Pa.; nieces, Sharon Ferguson of Phoenix, Shelia Whitson of Dora, Ala., Leah Reynolds of Sheridan, and Donna Sue Harris of Greenwood; and nephews, Paul Harper of Malvern and Jim Harper of Little Rock. She is survived as well by four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren, all residing in Pennsylvania and Virginia. She was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church and attended the Friendship Bible Class. Both husbands were deacons who enjoyed her faithful support. She served as a volunteer at Baptist Hospital, and she was very active in the Elmhurst Garden Club. She was a Master Gardener. Since 2005, she has funded a scholarship at Ouachita Baptist University in her name. She arranged for deserving students to benefit perpetually because she and her family believed in the utmost value of higher education. A private graveside service will be held in Malvern on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at 10 a.m. A memorial service will then be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at the Second Presbyterian Church Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to and following the service. Arrangements are being made by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, (501) 224-8300. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital for the Cancer Fund (1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72202). Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.