Louella Elizabeth Greer

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, just one day shy of her 99th birthday, Elizabeth Greer peacefully left this world to be with her Savior in heaven. Born Louella Elizabeth Harris on July 1, 1923, in New York City; the daughter of the late Mary Briscol and William John Harris, Elizabeth was one of six children. She spent part of her early childhood in New York City, then later moved to New Street in Sea Bright, NJ and Eatontown, NJ. Having lived an extraordinary life that spanned many historic turning points including the Great Depression, World War II and the Civil Rights movement, the election of the first Black President, and the election of the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice, Louella's long life, similarly, was marked by varied personal epochs and turning points.

Elizabeth married Frank William Greer on April 11, 1953, at Second Baptist Church in Long Branch, New Jersey where he was stationed after returning from service in the US military. His love for her was pronounced and enduring, he'd often build fires for her on cold Sunday nights, cooked her brunch on Sundays and made it clear to all that she came first. They built a vibrant, hard-working, homespun and idyllic life together in the home where they settled on the eastside of Detroit. There they raised three sons, Douglas Edward Greer, Phillip Vincent Greer, and William Curtis Greer. Elizabeth and Frank garnered a robust social life with extended family and friends, oversaw various entrepreneurial pursuits to make ends meet, pressed their own wine, were skilled chefs and bakers known for their towering biscuits, muffins, and brownies. They also tended a prolific rose garden, kept hunting dogs, took regular trips to the farmsteads in upper Michigan, and spent many summers on the beaches and at the parks along Lake Michigan. Elizabeth displayed a fierce and unwavering love for her children and family throughout the course of her life.

Elizabeth was a zealous and steadfast soul, a person of eclectic interests and a consummate professional with incredible pride. A child of the depression, she had an enduring ability for thrift, and organization, and economy that served her throughout her life. After a time once working as a house maid, then later for the Detroit Public School system, she returned to get her degree and graduated from Wayne State University in 1977. She was a gardener, a skilled baker, scrapbooker, bird watcher, passionate supporter of Michigan Football and a prolific knitter of elaborate quilts, mittens, slippers, sweaters, among other keepsakes. She remained a voracious knitter, reader, curious and diligent student of pursuits large and small, whether making a bed or completing a drawing, as well as remaining caring and active with a wide network of new and old friends and extended family through her 99 years on this earth.

Her husband, Frank, all five of her siblings, as well as her sons, Douglas and Phillip, predeceased Elizabeth. She is survived by her son Curtis, with whom she lived in New Jersey and who loyally oversaw her care for many decades, daughter-in-law, Marcia Greer, three grandchildren, Brandon (Robyn), Danielle (Emilio) and Jessica (Michael), seven great grandchildren, two sisters-in- law and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

We are here to celebrate the extraordinary life of Elizabeth Greer. Displaying seemingly superhuman resolve and tenacity, Elizabeth overcame countless setbacks, be it health or tragedy, and molded them into awe-inspiring comebacks, remaining loving through it all. She conveyed a particular love for each and every one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, knitting many of them treasures that will be forever cherished. This determined soul deserves stadiums and stadiums full of applause. We're standing up to salute her today & always. She’s resilience personified. She’s our champion and inspiration. We'll miss her warm smile, sharing in joy with her on the holidays, and her distinct wit and humor but will forever hold up the example she modeled for us. We are grateful for her 99 years on this earth and take comfort in knowing she has returned to the eternal and loving embrace of her Lord.