Eloise Roberts Vass

June 24, 2025

Eloise Roberts Vass passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

She was born on June 18, 1926, the daughter of Dan Roberts and Plina Roberts of Galax, Virginia, and lived there on the Roberts Dairy Farm with her parents and sister, Mary Roberts, until she left to attend Mary Washington College. Eloise married Frank Raymond Vass, also of Galax, Virginia, in 1947 after the end of World War II.

She is survived by her three children: Frank R. Vass III of Lexington, Kentucky; Janet V. Sarjeant of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Thomas D. Vass of Charlotte, North Carolina.

For about 75 years, Eloise lived in the small towns of Galax, Bassett, and Pulaski in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, building a life full of the joys of living. Eloise moved to Charlotte in 2001, and in 2002, relocated to Southminster Retirement Community, where she was lovingly cared for.

In her full life, she rode the airwaves with PBS and Alistair Cooke, walked the streets Queen Elizabeth walked, stroked the ivory keys with Brahms and Beethoven—as well as Rodgers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe. She often slipped into her soft clothes, satisfied her “ink fix” daily with a newspaper and crossword, mastered the card games of Solitaire and Run Rummy, hosted the world with Betty Crocker, kept Taylor Dry Sherry and Dove Dark Chocolate in business—and through the days to come, she will continue to hold our hands and lead us in love.

She is Eloise.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

 

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  • Sunni Turtur

    Mamma Eloise! So loved by me and countless others. Her gentle and beautiful face has never left my memory. It emits such depth, kindness, knowledge, compassion, humor and so much more. I spent countless days in her kitchen with Janet, sleepovers, and parties in the basement. You always felt loved and welcomed with Mamma Eloise in your presence. Hugs to Janet, Tom, Frank and extended family. Prayers for peace with her passing, and comfort knowing she has joined her Heavenly Father.

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  • Debbie and Diane

    Eloise was a light to everyone she met. A beautiful, talented, vibrant: wife, mother and friend, Eloise will live on in our hearts while she sings on with Joannie.
    Love to Frank, Janet, and Tom in your time of sadness.

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  • Jane and Dean Sarjeant

    She is Eloise. My goodness does that say it all. Jane and I were reflected with Janet a day or two after Eloise's passing and talked about how much fun it is to say her name. "Eloise." But upon further reflection it is so much more than fun. It is a hug. It comes from her and who she is to each and every life she touches. She is hot chocolate on a cold day.
    This is all present tense for a reason. Eloise will never leave us. That is far too pedestrian for Eloise.
    She is Eloise.

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  • Irene Noell Turner

    Eloise was amazing. Our lives crossed paths more when we both lived in Pulaski and then Galax. We served on the GalaxCarroll Library Board together.
    At our upcoming Cox family reunion at Smith Mountain Lake, I will share her passing and obituary
    My sympathy to the entire family

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