Eloise Grisham Perkins Ross, 96, of Georgetown, Texas, died peacefully in her sleep on June 8, 2026.

Eloise was born on June 24, 1930, in Camden, Arkansas to Loyd Grisham and Glady Hopkins-Grisham. While she considered herself a true Texan after living her entire adult life in the Lone Star State, she had a lifelong love for Arkansas, including being an avid Razorbacks fan.

Eloise was known for her strong faith, her love of her family, her gracious hospitality and her boundless energy. Early in her life, Eloise served as administrative assistant for the Dallas Texans football team (who later became the Kansas City Chiefs), working with Lamar Hunt, and she often recounted her time with the Texans as a highlight of her professional life. Later in her career, Eloise joined the Texas Municipal Retirement System as an administrative professional, and retired from that team with great fondness for both her work and her co-workers. Outside of the office, Eloise was dedicated to volunteer work, including service at Wilshire Baptist in Dallas and First Baptist Church in Georgetown.

Volunteering was one of many ways that Eloise gave back to others, and she was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Dallas ISD Parents & Teachers Association, an honor bestowed on her by the district for Eloise's efforts to organize the "Adopt-A-School" program for DISD. She was also a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi, and devoted countless hours doing home and hospital visitation for friends in need.

Later in life, Eloise developed a deep passion for travel and found adventure in many countries all over the globe. From exploring Europe and the Mediterranean to watching the Northern Lights and cruising the Panama Canal, Eloise travelled well into her 80s, with a love for meeting new people and exploring new cultures. Her love of nature inspired her to explore new places both at home and abroad, and some of her happiest moments were spent wandering the Texas Hill Country, where she loved taking visitors to the best places to see bluebonnets, hunt antiques and enjoy the best barbeque and Mexican food. She attributed her long and full life to both her love of exploring and her commitment to exercise, something that prompted her to continue working out well into her 90s.

Eloise is survived by her son, Robert (Bob) Perkins, Jr., his wife Faith Thornton Perkins of Asheville, North Carolina, and her grandchildren, Christopher Perkins (Abigail) of Birmingham, Alabama and Samual Perkins, also of Asheville.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, as well as by her former husband, Robert Perkins, Sr., and by Walter Ross, the love she met and married later in life. Eloise was incredibly close to her extended family, with aunts, uncles and cousins who were like siblings to her, each of whom brought love and support to her. Her beloved aunt, Jean Hopkins Mengers, passed away in 2023 after being a lifelong friend, supporter and partner in many adventures in the Texas Hill Country.

Eloise's family is grateful to the friends who have brought wonderful care and support to Eloise through her later years, particularly to those in her Sunday School class at First Baptist Georgetown, as well as to the staff of the Wesleyan and to her hospice care providers.

Eloise was laid to rest in a private graveside ceremony, and a memorial service to celebrate Eloise's life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.

"Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:31.