Eleanor Fay Quarles

My mom, Eleanor Fay DeMoss, was born on April 5, 1927, with her twin brother, Elison Ray. They grew up in a small farming town called Plain Dealing, Louisiana, just seven miles from the Arkansas line. As twins, they went everywhere together, around town everyone called them “Brother and Sister,”. When they grew up, they were still called Brother and Sister.

After graduating high school, Mom attended beauty school and completed her training two years later. Even long after she left her career as a beautician, she never hesitated to let anyone working on her hair know if they weren’t doing it correctly. She carried her skills with pride.

Mom met my dad at the skating rink in Plain Dealing, and one year later they were married. I was born the following year, and six years later my brother, Robert Quarles was born. Mom was dedicated to her family. Through every challenge, big or small she was there. Always giving advice and protecting her family with the determination of a mama bear. Lord help you if you got in her way because you would get a tough lashing without her ever using a single curse word.

Dad worked as an electrician, traveling from job to job and later decided to open his own business as a electrical contractor in Bossier City.. He built our home with his own hands. Mom embraced it as her personal project, filling it with beautiful decorations and flower arrangements that made it warm and welcoming.

Dad’s career later took them across the country. They lived in Salisbury, Maryland; Chicago, Illinois; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and McAllen, Texas. At one point they spent a year in Saudi Arabia. Through their travels, Mom had the chance to see places like Paris and Greenland—experiences she treasured. Later, they settled in Houston, Texas, where they built a home on Lake Conroe. Mom loved tending to their five acres, feeding the birds and planting flowers. There weren’t many birds she couldn’t name. Mom had always had a passion for art and decided to take art classes. She took classes for many years practicing and painting what she loved, old barns and landscapes.

After thirteen years in Conroe, Dad retired. They sold everything, bought a fifth‑wheel trailer and a truck, and traveled across the United States, visiting nearly every state and even Canada. Mom could name every RV on the road and tell you whether it was worth buying. She loved traveling and meeting the friends they made along the way.

Mom and Dad were married for 56 years. When Dad passed away in 2003, Mom came to live with me and helped me raise my granddaughter, Kylee. Mom was with me every step of the way still helping with the challenges we faced.

Mom leaves behind a loving family: Donna Gillley, daughter; Deborah Arrington, granddaughter; Kylee Barnett Klein, great‑granddaughter; Kassie Arrington, great‑granddaughter; Ashten Arrington, great‑grandson; Lonnie Gilley, grandson; Jerri Foster Gilley, granddaughter‑in‑law; Shelby Gilley, great‑granddaughter; Bailey Gilley, great‑great‑granddaughter; Alley and Emily Gilley, great‑granddaughters.

My mom was my inspiration, my support system, and my best friend. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.