rs. Elois Taylor Harper, 93, of Fernandina Beach, Florida passed away at 4:31 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at her residence.

Mrs. Harper was born on January 29, 1927 in Hazlehurst Jeff Davis County, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Clifton Monroe and Winnie Olive Sears Taylor.

Ms. Harper attended school in Hazlehurst, Georgia and later graduated from Jones Business College in 1958 It was there she met her future husband, Virgil H. Harper. They were married on March 9, 1960. Mrs. Harper came to Fernandina in 1960 to work first at the Fernandina Federal Savings and Loan and then ITT Rayonier in 1960. After working first as the Personnel Secretary at ITT Rayonier and later promoted to Human Resources Manager, Mrs. Harper retired in 1988.

After retirement, Elois and Virgil enjoyed a full life of fishing, enjoying their grandchildren and lots of fish fries for their Sunday School Class. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church and the Bykota Life Group Sunday School Class.

Mr. Harper passed away in 2012.

Mrs. Harper leaves behind Larry (Bully) Brewer (Ruth Anderson Brewer); Judy Harper Sapp; and Jacqueline R. Harper. She has two deceased children, Gwendolyn J. Anderson (James L. Anderson, Deceased) and Michael G. Harper (Sharon B. Harper). There are fourteen grandchildren; twenty-five great grandchildren and twin great great granddaughters. Mrs. Harper has two surviving brothers, Comer Taylor of Alva, Florida) and Bertis Taylor of Hazlehurst, Georgia, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

The family and friends will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2020.

Services will be held at the Oxley-Heard Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on September 21, 2020. The Rev. Zach Terry will officiate with grandsons Rev. Phillip Anderson delivering the eulogy and Rev. Michael Sapp and great grandson Caleb Anderson providing music. Mrs. Harper will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be her grandsons Phillip Anderson; Greg Brewer, Michael Sapp; Cole, Kyle, Coby and Cade Harper.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1600 South Eighth Street, Fernandina Beach Florida 32034.