Eloise Herrington Boucher

1923 - 2021

Eloise Herrington Boucher

Springhill, LA - Graveside services for Mrs. Eloise Herrington Boucher, age 97, will be held at 3:30 pm on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at the Springhill Cemetery, Springhill, LA, with Rev. Dr. Jonathan King officiating and eulogies by Ray Huddleston and Edward Bankhead. Interment will follow in Springhill Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, LA.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel.

Mrs. Mary Eloise Herrington Boucher was born on November 21, 1923 to Eron Franklin and Susie Mae Fillingame Herrington in Crossett, AR and passed away on Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Springhill, LA. She grew up in Bastrop, LA where her grandfather was the Chief of Police. Her family moved to Springhill, LA in August of 1938 where her father continued his work at International Paper Company. While Eloise was in high school, she worked at the local picture show, the State Theater. After she graduated from Springhill High School, she married Jesse L. Boucher on September 11, 1940.

In the following months, they moved to Miami, FL where he began his Naval career. At the beginning of WWII, he was assigned to Tyndall Field in Panama City, FL where their first child was born, Janice Elaine (Savannah). Two years later, he transitioned into the Army/Air Force at Randall Field in Clovis, NM where their second child was born, Sherry Lynn. When the war ended on September 2, 1945, they returned home to Springhill. As Jesse was involved in Boucher & Slack Insurance Agency, she influenced him to found B&S Supply and open a furniture division. During that time they had their third daughter, Jessica.

In 1958, she became the first lady of Springhill when her husband became Mayor. She also opened a gift shop in B&S called Accessories a-la-Carte. This allowed her to further her love for art and design. During this time, she received an accreditation from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She became the designer for the homes that were built by Boucher & Slack. She was instrumental in the development of apartment complexes built in Shreveport and Bossier City; Spring Lake Pointe, Sherry Lane, Green Acres, Village Square North and South, and Village Lane Townhouses. Her designs in Green Acres Garden District were acknowledged as she became recognized as "Woman Builder of the Year" in the mid 90's.

In 1985, her only granddaughter, Chessa Bouche was born. Eloise followed Chessa's accomplishments from her high school basketball games throughout her college graduation and graduate school. In 2005, she became CEO of the Boucher Company after her husband passed away. She managed the construction company, insurance company, and various apartment complexes in both Louisiana and Arkansas. In mid-1995, she was selected by the Springhill Chamber of Commerce as the "Business Woman of the Year" for her tireless commitment to the community.

Her love for building, design and her constant desire to learn made her special to all that ever worked with her. French Impressionists, fashion designers and the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright were her quiet and private passions. She was an elegant and classic woman who possessed an incredible sense of humor. B&S Furniture Store on Main Street was her home away from home. She loved furniture. She loved design. She loved working with the public. She loved flowers. She loved walking her little white dog, Alfie, around the block. She loved Springhill.

The Boucher family wants to acknowledge their gratefulness to Regional Health for taking such great care of Eloise. Their endless love and support will never be forgotten. Kellie Lewis, Kimerly Barrower, and Selena Harper: Thank you. Angie Hunt also was incredibly supportive day or night. And to Ethel Bradford, there are not words that can express their appreciation for her tender loving care for the past year.

Eloise is survived by her three daughters, Savannah Boucher of Los Angeles, CA, Sherry Boucher Peppard and Larry Burns of Benton, LA, Jessica and Kevin Beamish of Nashville, TN; her granddaughter, Chessa Bouche of Baton Rouge, LA; her grandson, Kyle Rogers of Nashville, TN; her nephews, Donnie Herrington and wife Cody of Emerson, AR, Ricky Herrington and wife Sheri of Lake Erling, AR, Steven Herrington of Camden, AR; Philip Herrington and wife, Annette of Little Rock, AR; her niece, Dianne Stephens and husband Jerry of Springhill, LA; nephew, Will Lynd, III and wife, Linda also of Springhill, LA. On Hilton Head Island live her nieces, Beverly Marie Angel and Jim Tisdale, Chris Coy and husband Ted. Her nephew, Nick Nelson and wife Dana live in Stockbridge, GA; cousin, Sue Whitlow and husband, Mike of Springhill, LA.

Mrs. Boucher was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Jesse L. Boucher; her parents and her siblings; Alphas and Johnny Herrington and Elaine Lynd.

Pallbearers will be Will Lynd IV, Donnie Herrington, Ricky Herrington, Steve Herrington, Gary Boucher, Heath Stephens and Will Lynd, III. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Hilburn, Henry Burns, Philip Serio, Larry S. Burns, John Madison, Jr., J.R. Burt, Josh Carpenter, Todd Winkler, Paul Whisenant, Mike Bozeman, Foster Campbell, Jack Montgomery, Ricky Pace, Denny McMullan, Carl Hunt, John T. Cox, Jr., Herschel E. Richard, Jr. and Stephen V. Calloway.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send any memorial donations to the Springhill United Methodist Church, 104 4th St. NW in Springhill, LA 71075.

Sign our online guest book at www.baileyfuneralhome.net