Eloise Lanier Dean Cumbaa was born in Greenville, Miss., in 1929 to Charles Otho Dean and Geraldine Rousseau Dean of Leland. She died peacefully at her home at 97 years of age.
Eloise graduated from Leland Public School with honors. She attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va., and received a degree in English and history education. After graduation, she returned to Mississippi and had her first job teaching in an elementary school in Vicksburg.
Eloise married Col. Noel Thomas Cumbaa in 1951 and began traveling with him in active service. The last base of duty was Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. She loved it there with Col. Cumbaa and their two children, Charles Thomas Cumbaa and Geraldine Lanier Cumbaa, for three years.
After retirement, they returned to Leland where they lived until moving to Greenville. During that time a third child, Noel Dean Cumbaa, was born.
Eloise spent the next years doing church work and taught Sunday School for 50 years. She was a member of the Delta Debutante Club, the DAR, and the Colonial Dames. She was very active in the garden club on all levels. Eloise served as president of Greenville Garden Club, as well as president of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, and served as Deep South District Director of the National Council of Garden Clubs. She was a very accomplished bridge player and enjoyed playing with friends.
Her last years were spent traveling with Noel and the Duncans, friends from Georgia. After many trips, she returned home to enjoy her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 61 years, her brother Charles Otho Dean Jr., and her daughter-in-law Jennifer Coleman Cumbaa. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret Dean, and her three children - Charles Thomas Cumbaa (Maryileen), Geraldine Cumbaa Moak (Bobby), and Noel Dean Cumbaa (Gwin). She is also survived by six grandchildren - Alex Cumbaa, Chelsea Cumbaa Nourse (Daryl), Drew Moak (Taylor), William Moak (Courtney), Noel Cumbaa (Mary Clair), Lanie Cumbaa Bridewell (Andrew) - and 13 great-grandchildren.
The family is grateful to those who provided excellent care of their mother - Mary Hood, Loretta Johnson, Louvenia McKinney, Jackie Price, Josephine Spand, and Tywuan Washington.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Greenville with the service at 2 p.m. followed by graveside at Stoneville-Leland Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
Memorials can be made to Greenville Cypress Preserve Trust, P. O. Box 4243, Greenville, MS 38704 or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1163, Greenville, MS 38702.
