Mrs. Tindle
Eloise “Ella”(Howard) Tindle, affectionately known as “Ma” or “Gramms,” passed away peacefully on Sept. 18, 2025, at the age of 87. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Rising Star Baptist Church with Dr. Royal L. Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
The family will receive visitors f rom 6 t o 8 p .m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale.
Eloise was born on Jan. 12, 1938, in Tracy (Milam County), to her proud parents, James Girtus Howard and Dorothy Mae Howard (Smith).
She attended and graduated from Aycock High School in 1957.
Following graduation, Eloise pursued her passion for service by attending barbering school and working at the family’s Phillips Barber Shop in Rockdale.
Eloise married her high school sweetheart, John Tindle, and they welcomed two beautiful children, Stevie Dwain Tindle and Sherunda K.Tindle.
In 1961, Eloise and her family relocated to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, through military service.
A hard worker and devoted mother, she often worked two jobs to provide for her family. She held positions at A&P Grocery Store as a meat wrapper and in D.C. Public Schools cafeterias, and later as a nursing assistant at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for over 10 years.
Eventually, Eloise began her career with the Department of the Army, serving at the James Forrestal Building and Fort Meyer, before transferring to the Pentagon. She dedicated over 30 years of service before retiring in 1997.
Grounded in faith, love, and compassion, Eloise was baptized at Rising Star Baptist Church in Tracy at an early age.
Later in life, she joined Hemingway AME Church in Maryland, where she faithfully served as treasurer and on the Senior Usher Board until her health declined.
Eloise was a nurturing presence, a source of strength, and a woman of wisdom who uplifted those around her.
Above all, she cherished her family and, if you knew her—whether as “Ella,” “Gramms” or “Ma”—you knew she adored her grandchildren beyond measure.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Dorothy Howard.
Eloise leaves to celebrate her life and carry on her legacy: her devoted children, Stevie Tindle of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Sherunda Tindle of Bowie, Maryland; her beloved sister, Ruth Bacy of Severn, Maryland; six grandchildren, Tsa Boone (Severn, MD), O’Keshia Tindle (Rockdale), Paul Alcorn (Rockdale), Sherrod Keith (Temple), Stevie Keith (Sanger), Ronte Tindle (Bowie, MD); 11 great-grandchildren, Aireshj (Isiah) Workmon, Mekhi Crawford, Mijah Crawford, Mykel Keith, Giselle Boone, Summer Keith, Kamaya Keith, Bryson Keith, Kamari Keith, Kye Keith and Zane Keith; and two great-great-grandchildren, Camdyn Garza and Jaxson Workmon.
She also leaves behind her beloved goddaughter, Tanora Joyner, along with a host of cousins, extended relatives, and friends who will forever treasure her memory.
Eloise’s legacy of love, faith, and resilience will live on in the hearts of all who had the blessing to know her.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7