Eleanor Henderson Compton was born on June 30, 1922, in Perry, Florida. She passed on to her heavenly home on July 9, 2022, in Palm Harbor Florida at the young age of 100 years and nine days. Eleanor was born to Opal and Buford Henderson and was the oldest of four children having three brothers who all preceded her in death. As a young child her family moved often but they settled in Alachua, Florida when she was in the fifth grade. She accepted Christ as Lord of her life before her teen years and has lived as a faithful Christian since that time.
She graduated from Alachua High School in 1941 and ventured out to Gainesville, Florida, where she worked in a drugstore. It was there she met her future husband, Joseph O. Compton, Jr., affectionately known as “Joe”, on a blind date. During their courtship, Joe enlisted in the US Marine Corps. When he came home on leave, they were married on May 22, 1943 at her mother’s home in Alachua. As a matter of fact, on their 50th wedding anniversary, Joe surprised her with a framed shadowbox that he had made himself displaying her wedding dress. Eleanor was a very petite woman but she had the heart of a giant! Shortly after they were married Joe was sent to war against Japan and Eleanor remained in Gainesville. When Joe returned to the US they began their family. Joe and Eleanor had five children: Joseph, Michael, Harold, Marjorie, and Victoria. They celebrated many triumphs and a few tragedies during their 65 years of marriage but none so profoundly sad as the untimely death of their son, Michael, in 1984.
With a strong faith foundation they overcame their grief and enjoyed their family immensely as it continued to grow with grandchildren, great grandchildren. Joe served in three wars and was often overseas which left Eleanor to raise the children at home. Unable to afford to go to college after high school, Eleanor took the opportunity to obtain her degree at the age of 42 while Joe was in Vietnam. Imagine the courage and strength it took to do that while raising five children by herself! Joe served in three wars and was often overseas which left Eleanor to raise the children at home. Anyone who knew Eleanor knew that she was tough, just ask one of her kids! When Joe retired from the Marines, the family moved to Orlando where Eleanor taught kindergarten at Azalea Park Baptist School. Following that she worked at E.J. Daniels Christian Publishing Company known as Christ for the World. Joe and Eleanor became members of Eastside Baptist Church in 1996 where Eleanor’s membership remained until the time of her death.
Eleanor is survived by her sons, Joseph O. Compton III (Kathy) of Clearwater, Florida, Maj. Harold L Compton, USMC Ret. (Cynthia) of Austin, Texas, daughters Marjorie A Martin (Conan) of Altamonte Springs, Florida, and Victoria O. Scurto (Raymond) of Orlando, Florida, and Loves Park, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joseph and her son Maj. Michael R. Compton, USMC, whose wife Joan now resides in Fielding, Utah. Eleanor is also survived by 14 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren.