Elouise Appling, 77, of Jacksonville, entered the sunset of life on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Miller County Hospital, Colquitt, GA. Elouise "Weezy" Appling was born August 1, 1947 in Rebecca, Georgia to Willie James Appling, Sr. and Nina Lou (Burch) Appling. The family relocated to Hastings, Florida when she was very young where she was educated in the St. Johns County School District. She spent time with her godmother in Melbourne, Florida, graduating high school from Stone High School and attending Brevard Junior College. After college, she relocated to Palatka, and joined in holy matrimony to George Taylor. From this union two beautiful children were born, Terry and Toni. A subsequent marriage to Kenneth Merritt produced a lively and spirited baby girl Kemetra. Elouise was employed for many years at Georgia Pacific Corporation in Palatka. A talented seamstress, she and her family established the First Down Athletics Company. The business provided alterations and repairs to football uniforms, helmets, and equipment. In addition, she served as a cheerleading coach for Pop Warner football teams. Her daughters and nieces will always remember the creative and unique gowns she designed and made for their high school proms.

A gifted cook and baker, family members and friends will miss the delicious meals and sought after cakes and pies she made. She continued to bake cakes by order until her health began to fail. A believer in God, she strived to live her life according to his word. A resident of Jacksonville, she attended and thoroughly enjoyed virtual services and Sunday School back home at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church Hastings, Florida. She was devoted to her lifelong friends Carol Holtz and Lillian 'Kooda' Bryson. No matter how much time passed between seeing each other, it was as though their last time together was just the day before. The 'ride or die' friendships never wavered.

Never one to mince words, "she said what she meant and meant what she said'. You were likely to get her opinion whether you asked for it or not – That was just our "Weezy." She loved being around and having fun with family.  Her children, nieces and nephews remember the great times riding in her fast cars and being treated at the local shops and fruit market. Crab boils, baseball games and running competitions, on the farm; Family reunions, Family vacations in Detroit, 'Mountain Girls' trips to the Smokey mountains, scary catwalk seats at the Florida Classic and even time spent at the 'Boom Boom' rooms will always be remembered.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in eternal rest by sister, Willie Mae Williams; brother, Karl Appling; son-in-law, Bruce Council.

On November 8, 2024, surrounded by family, Elouise finished her earthly course and went to be with the Lord.

She leaves to cherish her memories: son, Terry (Cheryl) Taylor, Jacksonville; two daughters, Trentonia Council, Middleburg; Kemetra (Earl) Merritt, Jacksonville; four sisters, Annie Pridgen Rochelle, Georgia, Lois (Bernard, Sr.) Appling Scott, Tallahassee; Joyce (Charles) Jones, Palatka; Linda Evans, St. Augustine; two brothers, Willie James (Antoinette) Apling, Jr., Lakeland; Freddy Appling, Chino, CA; special grand-daughter and caregiver, Ebony Brooks; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; two aunts, Joyce Appling, Palatka; Peoni Appling, Miami; uncle, Jethro Burch, Rochester, NY; brother-in-law, Sammie Lee Williams, Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Elaine Appling, Akron, OH; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

"Weezy" lived a wonderful life and we will always love and remember her and cherish her memory in our hearts…