Eloise Linder Robertson

Eloise Robertson passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, at Satilla Hospice House in Waycross, Georgia, surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of Ervin Kistler “E.K.” Robertson of Ruffin, South Carolina, where she lived for most of her life before moving to Walterboro and later to Waycross, Georgia. Her life spanned nearly a century of history, change, and wonder, and was marked by generosity, a loving family, faithful service to the Lord, a distinguished career, and a love of music, crafts, gardening, and reading.

Margaret Eloise Linder was born March 18, 1929, in Colleton County, South Carolina, a daughter of the late Ansel and Ella Nobles Linder. She lived in Canadys for a time and grew up in the Berea community of Smoaks, SC. Eloise loved to tell stories of life in the country during the Great Depression—farm-to-table meals, picking cotton, tending the family cow, and gathering on Saturday nights to listen to the Grand Ole’ Opry on the radio.

From these humble beginnings, she built a distinguished 40+ year career as a human resources professional with the Navy’s Consolidated Civilian Personnel Office, serving at the Naval Supply Center, Charleston Naval Hospital, and the Southern Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Her work ethic, intelligence, and generosity extended to family and friends, who often asked her to type letters, complete forms, notarize documents, or help with taxes. She embraced technological change with curiosity, learning to use a laptop computer in her 80s.

She raised her family in Ruffin, where she co-owned Linder’s Grocery with her father—a thriving country store in its day. Eloise had a green thumb, growing summer vegetables and African violets, and was an accomplished seamstress who loved crochet, cross-stitch, and quilting. Later in life, she turned to reading and Bible word search puzzles, especially those with hymns. Music remained central to her daily life, whether listening to gospel songs on her iPad or radio. And, of course, ice cream and chewing gum were never far from her reach.

Eloise was a devoted Christian, loving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and she lived a life of faithful service. In her early years, she would walk to the church where a pastor’s wife taught her to play the piano on the pump organ. That experience sparked a lifelong love of music. She served as the organist at Berea Advent Christian Church for nearly fifty years, supported the growth of the church as a board member and clerk/secretary, and taught Sunday School for various age groups. Her commitment extended beyond her local church—she held offices in the Advent Christian Church at the state level, served as a delegate to the Triennial Advent Christian General Conference, and was actively involved in the Women’s Home and Foreign Mission Society (WHFMS), including serving as President of the Southern Region. She was passionate about missions and youth ministry, empowering women and supporting programs for children and teens whenever her health allowed.

In addition to her husband, E.K., Eloise was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Alexina “Ziggy” Martin. She is survived by her son, Donald Ansel Robertson (Gwen) of Ruffin, South Carolina; her daughter, Patti Robertson Drawdy (Wade) of Walterboro; grandchildren, Leha Heringer (Mark), Lindsey Mart, and Sam Drawdy; great-grandchildren, Bret, Emma, Avery, Colton, Henry, Charlotte, and Jack; her niece, Pam Steppe of Santee; and a host of cousins, including Garner Linder and his wife, Marilou, who for many years faithfully traveled from Smoaks to Ruffin every Sunday to drive Eloise to and from church.

For those who wish to honor her memory, the family suggests contributions to the Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park, Florida (https://www.acvillage.net/). Though it was too far for her to live there herself, Eloise loved supporting the A C Village throughout her life. It provides compassionate care for seniors, families with special needs, and children, both in a secure residential setting and in the surrounding communities.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, February 7, 2026, from the graveside at Hagan Cemetery in Smoaks.

ARRANGEMENTS BY: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.