Eloise Lewis Fite

Eloise Lewis Fite, age 91, of Pine Bluff, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022. She was born to the late Eula Lookadoo Lewis Kinnaird and Rev. Earle Robert Lewis on November 10, 1930 in Atlanta, Ga., while her father was in seminary. Eloise graduated from Arkadelphia High School, where she was class musician and a member of the band. She attended Henderson State Teachers College and was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, the band, and the choir and majored in music. Eloise started taking piano lessons while in the first grade and occasionally played the organ at First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia while in high school. She was organist in Methodist churches where she and her husband lived, including Springhill, La., and Memphis. She also taught piano and organ lessons for many years. For 26 years, she was organist and choir director at First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, where she directed junior, youth, and chancel choirs. She also oversaw the installation of a new Schantz pipe organ in 1980. Eloise also directed adult and youth handbell choirs, and made trips to the Georgia Handbell National Convention in Atlanta, Ga., New Jersey, and Amherst, Mass. The youth also enjoyed touring numerous historical sites while on the trips, including Washington, D.C. She was a past president of the Pine Bluff Musical Coterie, a past president of the Sorosis Club, a past board member of the Pine Bluff Symphony, and the Community Concert campaign chairman. Eloise was also a former group leader of Bible Study Fellowship, a member of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and a member of the United Methodist Women. She married Harry Anderson Fite, Jr. on September 2, 1919, and he preceded her in death on January 29, 2022. Also predeceasing her was an infant son, Harry Lewis Fite; and a sister, Earleen Lewis Hopson. Survivors include her children, Major Robert Anderson Fite, (U.S. Army, retired) and wife Cheryl, and Judy Fite; and a sister, and Mayleen Lewis Harris. Her memorial service will be Friday, June 10, 2022, 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Carlton Cross officiating. Private interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Arkadelphia by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services. The family will greet friends following the service in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice. For online condolences, please visit FullerFunerals.com