Enola was born to missionary parents near Beijing, called Peking at that time, on April 1, 1923, which was a Sunday and both Easter and April Fool's Day that year. She was raised with her brother and sister speaking mandarin as the family language.

Her studies included violin and piano which she would rely on later in life teaching music in her community. She was forced to leave her mission home during the 2nd World War at age 18. After coming to the United States, she attended Wheaton College in Illinois. Life and marriage eventually brought her to Fresno, CA.

She raised two sons, obtained work with the government which eventually led to a permanent logistics position in the Federal Aviation Administration. After working at the Fresno Air Terminal, she was transferred to San Diego Lindberg Air Field. She met her husband Ken, a master mechanic, at a social gathering. They lived together in Jamul, CA where she was then posted to Miramar Marine Corp Air Station until she retired.

She was very pleased to find that there was an active Chinese community and church in the area. Many cherished friendships developed there. She moved back to the Fresno area in 2017 to be near her eldest son.