Elteaser Meredith

It was in the small town of Sparkman during the early days of fall that Elmer and Clifford Perry Harrison awaited the arrival of their second daughter and fifth child. Born on October 25, 1921, they named her Elteaser, who become known to her family as “Tee”. Nurtured in an environment that fostered independence and pride, she moved to Chicago, Ill in 1939. It was there that she became gainfully employed with a plethora of industries, but eventually discovered her niche as a pharmaceutical technician until her retirement. She met and was happily married to Amos Meredith. Their marriage was later resolved. However, she maintained her independence and self-sufficiency. She continued to live and enjoy the close connection of four of her siblings, who also lived in the Chicago area. It was after the demise of her brother Andrew’s wife, Henrietta, that she took up residence in Robbins, Ill and lived with him. He passed away in June, 1976. Yet, with the assistance of her nephew, Dr. Leroy Perry, Jr., she continued to live alone until just a few months prior to her demise on June 28, 2015. “Tee” was always known for her sassy and stylish demeanor. She kept abreast of the latest styles and fashions. She was characterized by family and friends as being a lady with class. She enjoyed life and never appeared to allow the vicissitudes that so often accompany life’s pilgrimage to deter her from living life to the fullest. At an early age, she acknowledged Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the First Baptist Church, Sparkman. As a youth, she participated in Sunday school, BTU as well as sang in the choir. Upon moving to Robbins, Ill, she united with the Union Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorship of Rev. James Cowthran, Jr. She dutifully served as an usher, choir member, and participated in the senior saints’ ministry until she was no longer able to do so. “Tee” was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers (Andrew “Fat”, Nolan “Little Bud” and James “Humpty” Harrison; a sister, Maxie Harrison Hall; two sisters-in-law, Henrietta (Andrew) and Desiree (James) Harrison; a brother-in-law, Garland(Maxie) Hall, Sr.; a nephew, Garland Hall Jr and a great niece, Carla Hampton. Those who are left to remember and relish her life are: a sister, Consuewella Harrison, Maywood, Ill; a sister-in-law, Marian Harrison, Chicago, Ill; four nieces, Sylvia McKenzie , Carolyn Hampton, Deborah Perry all of Chicago, Ill, and Pamala Hall (Kenneth) Harris of Arkadelphia; three nephews, Nolan Harrison, Jr., Flossmoor, Ill, Dr. Leroy (Andrea) Perry of Flossmoor, Ill, and Adrian Perry, Maywood, Ill. Also left to emulate her profound legacy of style, class and independence is a cadre of great-nieces, great nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews. After a brief Memorial Service conducted by Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., pastor of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, on Saturday, August 8,2015 at 11 a.m., at Williams Funeral Home, her cremains will be buried at the grave site of her mother at Harmony Cemetery in Sparkman, AR.