Eleanor Yvonne Atwater

On April 29, 1924, Eleanor Yvonne Atwater, (née Taylor) was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was the 2nd of Chrystella M. (nee Allen) and Addison J. Taylor's 3 children. As a toddler, her family migrated to Grand Rapids, Michigan in search of a better life in the North.



After graduating Central High School, she attended Howard University and then was accepted to the Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing (Washington D.C.). On December 18, 1947, she received a Registered Nurse (RN) diploma from the Nurses Examining Board of the District of Columbia. Over the next 8 years she worked as an RN. First in Chicago, then, in 1949, she was offered a job in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan where she became the first black Charge Nurse at Blodgett Hospital. She rekindled a friendship with Frank M. Atwater (also of Grand Rapids Michigan via Brunswick, Georgia) who at the time was on leave from the Department of Defense where he worked as a Civil Engineer. They wed on August 8, 1955.For the next 30 years, Frank's career took them to 4 of 7 continents around the world. They lived in North Africa (Libya and Morocco), Turkey (Ankara), Japan (Kanto Mura Housing Annex) and the Philippines (Luzon Island, VillaSol/Clark Air Base). While overseas, they travelled and visited as many other countries as they could including France, Spain, Russia, Korea and Thailand and racked up over 15 passports!



Eleanor was happiest cooking feasts and hosting her famous cocktail parties. She also was an avid and nationally ranked bridge player. She also developed a passion for golf while living in the Philippines and was quite a good player.



When Frank retired, they settled down in a neighborhood in Northeast Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has lived on 5422 Edwards Dr. NE, for over 37 years. Here, she established a bridge club, was very active in the women's bridge circle and worked as a RN for Manor Care Nursing Home. Most of the people that she interacted with were close friends.



Eleanor is now reunited with her husband of 57 years Frank M. Atwater, her: Mother Chrystella M. Taylor, Father Addisson J. Taylor, Sister Monique Simpson, Brother Derrick Jerome Taylor, Granddaughter Yvonne Majelle Atwater and many others who are celebrating her return home.



She is survived by her children: Frank M. Atwater II and Chrystella Byers, Grandchildren: Amber Ball, Ian Atwater and Chase Byers; Great Grand Children: Owen Ball and Ivonne Atwater; Nieces/Nephew: Chelo Simpson, Sharon Shaheed, Zoern Simpson and Phoebe Stanciell and Danielle Taylor. Cousins: Patrick Miles Sr. and Kirk Miles Beauchamp; Patrick Miles Jr., Esq., and Angela Miles. Great Nieces and Nephews: Quran Shaheed, Civen Jones, Corbin Jones and Courtland (Chico) Jones II. Great-Great Nieces and Nephews: Remy Jones, Evie Jones and Zaven Jones.



All who knew her described her as funny, compassionate, an excellent cook, stubborn, and always giving what she could because she loved putting a smile on people's faces. On December 11, 2021, she passed into our Savior's arms surrounded by love in her home.