By DAISY WASHINGTON / Community Columnist

Eighty-one-year-old Eloise Edwards’s caregiver career is still strong, despite her macular degeneration.

While her main priority is caring for her husband, Ray, Eloise is active in her community through her phone visitation and meal ministry efforts.

A member of her 130-year-old church, Enon Baptist, for the past 55 years, Eloise is in charge of coordinating meals for funerals and other events.

In the past she has aided her husband, who drove the bus for the youth department’s choir tours (where the choir performed at other churches).

The group set up in tents during the tours. Eloise was responsible for preparing the meals for the entire group. It was a busy and sometimes hectic event, but she said she enjoyed her job.

Eloise served as Hostess and Food Coordinator for nine years when she was a member of Clanton Baptist Church.

“Up to 150 church members and friends were served every week,” she said.

Currently, she is the leader of Enon’s Senior Group, which is responsible for arranging activities and programs for the senior parishioner.

Members are engaged through field trips, programs, presentations and seminars on topics such as medication, health care and other topics relevant to seniors.

A Montevallo native from the area known as Dry Valley, Eloise was born in the 100-year-old house across the road from the 110-year-old house where the Edwards reside and which used to be her paternal grandparents’ home.

Eloise’s 90-year-old sister now occupies the house across the road from their home. She describes her area as a “tight-knit community.”

During her earlier life, Edwards worked in a doctor’s office as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Eloise has been a member of RSVP for the past 17 years and is a recipient of the Volunteer Presidential Award.