Posted on Monday, April 7, 2003
A message from Westminster College President R. Thomas Williamson:
With sadness I announce the passing of Eloise Reid Orr. Eloise was the wife of Will W. Orr, who served as the ninth president of Westminster College from 1949-67.
We are grateful to God for the life of Eloise Orr. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Orr family as they gather to remember her wonderful spirit.
The obituary from The Charlotte Observer ...
Eloise Reid Orr, age 95, died Friday, April 4, 2003 at her residence of the last 16 years at Southminster Retirement Community in Charlotte, North Carolina. In her last l0 years she was known as the faithful visitor offering Bible verses and encouragement to those confined to nursing care on the 3rd floor of Southminster. Her loving husband, Dr. Will Orr, preceded her in death in l994. Eloise Orr was the author of two books: Lion by the Tail, an autobiographical account of their church planting of Chapel by the Sea, an Associate Reformed Presbyterian church in Melbourne Beach, Florida and a second book, Better Then or Now?, an autobiographical story of growing up in Charlotte on a large farm in the early l900's. Excerpts of this book were printed in The Charlotte Observer. She was also was a regular contributor of articles and stories to Christian magazines.
Mrs. Orr was the quintessential pastor's wife, as she and her husband served in Presbyterian pastorates in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and Des Moines, Iowa. Will and Eloise were partners in every endeavor. Together they started Youth Club, a weekday Christian education program for children and young people in Des Moines, Iowa, that was later turned into a national organization. After ten years in Des Moines, her husband answered the call to serve as president of Westminster College. Eloise was the "first lady" and the gracious hostess for much college entertaining. They both enjoyed teaching waterskiing as a hobby and taught hundreds of students, faculty, and staff to water-ski on the college lake.
After 17 years of service to Westminster College, they "retired" to Melbourne Beach, Florida, where they started a new church, Chapel by the Sea, and Will served as its first volunteer pastor while the young congregation met in their home weekly for years. Again, Eloise was the hostess and gladly moved their furniture out of the home weekly to accommodate the folding chairs of the 75-100 weekly worshippers. Together they helped raise the money for the church land and building. After Chapel by the Sea was established, they tried a second "retirement" in Flat Rock, North Carolina at Bonclarken, the assembly grounds of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. However, the denomination asked Will to serve as its Moderator, which he did until a heart attack. Their third retirement was at Southminster Retirement Community where they were two of the earliest residents 16 years ago. They were instrumental in starting a Bible study at Southminster which continues to this day.
Mrs. Orr often said her life goal was simple: "To go to heaven and take as many people with her as possible." Her life has been a fulfillment of that goal.
Eloise Reid Orr was preceded in death by her parents, John Calvin Reid and Ximina Hunter Reid, her husband, Dr. Will W Orr, her brother Dr. John Calvin Reid, and two sisters, Isabel Reid and Emma Reid Echols. She leaves behind two brothers, Dr. Jennings B. Reid of Charlotte, North Carolina and Eben L. Reid of Columbus, Georgia, and three children, Wilson W. Orr of Dewey, Arizona, Arlis Orr Galloway of Cornelius, North Carolina, and Dr. David Orr of Oberlin, Ohio. In addition she leaves 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
The family is grateful to the caring staff at Southminster and to many wonderful local friends who enriched her final years.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Eloise Orr will be held on Good Friday, April 18th at 3 PM at Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte. A private graveside internment will precede the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Will and Eloise Orr Scholarship Fund at Westminster College (Market Street, New Wilmington, PA 16172).
