Elouise Austin Wolfe
Elouise Austin Wolfe, 81, passed away peacefully at Diversicare of Tupelo, with her daughter by her side. She was born July 23, 1937, to Harold Harley Austin and Ika Haddock Austin in Sledge, Miss., also the birthplace of Charley Pride. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
After several years in the Delta, her family moved to Potts Camp where she grew up and later graduated from Potts Camp High School. During high school she met her husband of almost 64 years, she a high school cheerleader and he a basketball player at Hickory Flat High School. She married Henry Oneal Wolfe on March 16, 1955, and a year later they welcomed to the family their only child, Charlotte Ann.
During her younger years, Elouise looked forward to reading The South Reporter, especially during the ownerships of the Whittens and Taylors. She especially hoped for mention of Grady McAlexander, who she believed was the epitome of a good newspaper man. In 1962, she went to work for him and he was extremely generous with his knowledge of printing and newspapering, beginning her education the minute she walked in that first Monday morning.
A few years later, the paper was sold to Sen. George M. Yarbrough of Red Banks and for 17 years, she managed the newspaper with the perk of being able to raise her child there with her. Over the years, working to maintain an error-free newspaper, she literally read aloud every word of every issue with someone, usually her daughter, holding the copy. In addition to managing the paper, she also wrote a regular column, "Miscellanea," which many times told of the young years of her "little redhead" growing up in Holly Springs.
A lot changed over the years from the old hot-metal days of printing, but Elouise loved the business. When the paper was sold in 1979, it ended an important part of her life. She later went to work for Holly Springs Funeral Home and always considered the Thomas family as part of her own. When everything started becoming computerized, she said "Not for me, that's why I have paper and pencil I can rely on them" and retired with her husband to the Wolfe family homeplace in Hickory Flat.
She loved the written word and read The Daily Journal, as well as eight weekly papers regularly from cover to cover. Elouise worked her crossword puzzles daily in ink; it was rare for her to ever be stumped. She became enamored with her family's roots and was lovingly referred to as the family historian, doing extensive research on the Parkers on her daddy's side, as well as some on the Haddocks, Horicks, Dickeys, and Wolfes. She kept up with family through notes and letters, real ones no computers. If you were a relative or dear to Elouise's heart, you received a birthday card every year; before becoming ill, she would send out more than 200 cards annually.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, William Horick Austin; and her sister, Wilma Frances Austin Henry.
She is survived by her husband, Henry Oneal Wolfe; her daughter, Charlotte Ann Wolfe of Fulton; four nephews, Robert Eugene Henry (Wendy) of Pope, William Horick Austin Henry, Joel Wolfe (Nita) of Corinth, Alan (Brenda) Wolfe, Fairfield Bay, Ark.; three nieces, Linda Bradley (Chris), Kathy Bradley, and Mary Patterson (Jeff), all of Corinth; her brother-in-law, Robert Coran Wolfe (Robbie) of Corinth; 10 great-nephews and -nieces; four great-great-nephews and great-great-nieces; and many cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 14, at 3 p.m. at Senter Funeral Home in Fulton with Bro. Steve Shappley officiating. Visitation was from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Holly Springs Funeral Home in Holly Springs and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Senter Funeral Home. Burial was in Hardens Chapel Cemetery in Fulton. Holly Springs Funeral Home and Senter Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers were Tommy Parker, Burl Adams, Robert Henry, Chuck Thomas, Barry Thomas and Kevin Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hickory Flat Library, P.O. Box 309, Hickory Flat, MS 38633.
paid obituary