Mrs. Eloise Copeland Formey

Mrs. Eloise Copeland Formey, 80, had her transition Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Memorial Health University Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

On June 27, 1932, in Appling County, Georgia, Eloise was the first of two daughters born to Creswell and Leola (George) Copeland. She attended elementary and high school in Baxley, Georgia, where she soon became known as one of the area's smartest and most dedicated students, graduating from Baxley Training School in 1949 as Class Valedictorian.
During most of her childhood, she aptly balanced managing academic schooling with religious education at Rachel Missionary Baptist Churcha€""all while cashiering and eventually helping to manage her Aunt Mary Lane's Desoto CafAC., along with her beloved sister, Betty Jean.
As beautiful as she was industrious, as a teenager Eloise caught the eye of a brilliant fellow Baxleyan, Henderson E. (""H.E."") Formey, Jr. Their courtship ensued throughout his and her years at Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, though he was four years her senior. After her freshman year there, she chose to postpone the completion of her studies to marry H.E. on September 7, 1950. God blessed them with seven children; therefore, Eloise dedicated most of her adult life to nurturing her family, prizing her role as homemaker so that many strove to emulate her. Her quiet passion for excellence in all she endeavored translated into an incredibly efficient and effective campaign to raise a successful ""houseful"" (all of whom thrived under her daily tutelage). Joining forces with her husband, she developed well-rounded, academically-gifted children. Cementing a foundation for them to pave pathways to some of the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities.
A rather reserved person who almost always shunned the public eye, Eloise's extraordinary attention to detail in managing her household freed her husband to pursue distinguished careers, both at the highest rung of the educational administrative ladder and in the ministry. Over the years, her sage advice undergirded each of his professional pursuits. In her, both he and their children had the most amazing advocate and example of how to make the most of every situation, good or bad. In fact, the strength and determination she modeled throughout her life to overcome repeated bouts with devastating physical challenges emboldened her family to meet every obstacle they faced with similar grace and aggressiveness.
No matter the prognosis, Eloise simply let nothing keep her down. Not even decades away from the classroom were enough to keep her from returning to college even after several of her children had matriculated. Thus, in June 1976, after being inducted into the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, she graduated magna cum laude from Savannah State College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics with a concentration in Textiles and Clothing. Though ill health permitted her to work in the field only briefly, those whom she taught at Savannah-Vocational Technical School were indelibly imprinted by the spirit of excellence that emanated from her instruction.
Long before receiving formal training at any college, Eloise had mastered not only the fundamentals but also the finer details of an array of home economics skills. From preparing gourmet meals almost daily to tailoring the latest fashions, she was always on point and was known for whipping up ""head-turner"" styles, especially for herself and her girls. She was also a consummate money manager, going beyond ordinary household budgeting to find success using a number of wealth-building strategies.
Apart from being a devoted Christian and loyal wife, perhaps Eloise's greatest accomplishment was that she made men of sons and women of daughters. Even after passing away on December 8, 2012, she stands as a beacon for all successive generations of her family, as well as for all others who came to know and love her.
She leaves to cherish her memory, seven children - Sylvester Formey (Patricia) of Savannah, GA; Gregory Formey (Sandra) of Columbia, SC; Donald Formey (Jessica) of Charleston, SC; Iris Formey Dawson (Arthur) of Savannah; Jennie Formey Hall (Alton) of Houston, TX; Wilhemenia Formey Buckner (Arthur) of Minneapolis, MN; and Creswell Formey of New York, NY; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one ""adopted"" daughtera€""Andrea Williams of Savannah and her children; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.


Please convey your thoughts and remembrances of Mrs. Formey using the links provided on our website.