Louise Ake Eller

On September 11, 1938, Louise Drake was born in Buna, Texas to Coady and Minnie Ola Drake. She grew up on the family farm in Buna surrounded by her older brothers Raymond and Curtis, her younger sister Nell, and her youngest brother Travis. Lou was especially close to her sister Nell even though Lou enjoyed the outdoors while Nell enjoyed helping her mother with the housework. She enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a fine athlete, accomplished in softball, bowling, and basketball. Lou was raised in a Christian household, and she chose to follow Christ at an early age. Her father donated the use of their home for worship services when a new church building was being built in Buna. Lou graduated from Buna High School in 1957 as valedictorian of her class. She took a job as a bank teller in Orange, Texas which led to a long career in the banking industry. In 1960, Louise married 2nd Lieutenant John N. Eller, Jr, and started the life of a military wife and mother. As a member of the military, ‘J.N.’ was frequently overseas or flying off to some distant location. Lou was the one who kept the family together: she cooked and got the kids off to school, had the car repaired, and did a hundred other tasks while he was away. She did an excellent job in raising two fine boys! And she did it while working full time. She wrote letters daily to her husband so he could stay connected to the family. Those were difficult conditions to maintain a marriage but she and J.N. made it work, and they remained together for 62 years. After moving the family to numerous military assignments in Texas, California, Florida, Kansas, Holland, and Virginia, the family permanently settled in Conroe, Texas in 1979. Louise continued her career in the banking industry, taking senior roles at the Conroe Bank, InterFirst Bank, NationsBank, and Bank of America. After retirement, she spent her time doting on her grandchildren, spoiling her dogs, mothering her grown sons, gardening, and quilting; she continued to serve as the ‘glue’ that held the family together. She enjoyed traveling, particularly with her sister and best buddy Nell. She became very close to her daughter-in-law Donna, building loving bonds while passing on her knowledge of cooking and raising boys. She was beloved by all for her joyful demeanor, positive attitude, and love of laughter. She worshipped with her husband at the Longmire Road Church of Christ, and she passed away peacefully on May 28, 2022, after a brief bout with Covid-19. She is survived by her husband John, sons Gary and David, daughter-in-law Donna Eller, siblings Raymond Drake, Nell Garrett, and Travis Drake, and numerous grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital ( www.stjude.org ).

Those wishing to view the livestream of the service please click the link below.

https://youtu.be/IZ7_jK8AcPA