Eula Mae Frailey

Eula Mae Frailey, 89, of Cave in Rock, IL went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, November 28th at 4:10 P.M. in her home surrounded by her family. Eula was born in her family home December 31st, 1934, to Owen and Minnie (Davis) Vaughn. There she spent her childhood growing up on their farm and she was 1 of 7 children. 

She attended school in Rosiclare up until she laid eyes on the love of her life Gary Arlen Frailey, that's when she switched to Cave in Rock School. After they were married on June 6th, 1953, they moved to Manteno, IL. She worked at the State Hospital in Kankakee IL, while Gary was in the service. They moved back to Hardin County when Gary left the service and went to barber school, they built a house next door to Gary's parents, where they spent the rest of their lives. Then they were happy to add 4 children to their family, in September 1958 their first child Keith, in July 1961, a set of twin girls Pamela and Paula (Eula had a feeling she was having twins, but she didn't tell anyone), then in June 1967 had their fourth child, their baby boy Kurt, then they knew their family was complete. They made sure they raised their children with a good religious background, they attended and remained faithful members of the Methodist Church in Cave in Rock for several years. 

Eula became the librarian/study hall teacher at Hardin County High School where she worked for 22 years, a job she loved dearly. Students might remember if they were found to be talking in her study hall they would hear the words, "That'll be 2 pages." She also wasn't a stranger to hard work, in her time off, she cared for her mother for a time until her passing and she helped Gary, a double amputee, when he needed her. She always kept the most spectacular gardens and would work on them until dark, but she loved it. For any birthday, anniversary, and every special occasion she would always have a cake made for her family and her grandchildren will always remember the extra plate of homemade icing she saved for them. She was the best Nanny to those 5 grandchildren, that kept her on her toes when they were all together.

 She is survived by her sons, Keith (Joni) Frailey of Tennessee, Kurt (Melissa) Frailey of Herod, IL and daughters Pam (Matt) Mercurio & Paula (late Curtis) O'Dell both of Cave in Rock, IL. 5 grandchildren Chris Kimes, Keshia Mercurio, Ryan (Amber) Frailey, Liana (Drew) Berkley and Karlee Mercurio. 5 great-grandchildren, Conner and Kuri Spivey, Rhett and Emerson Frailey, & Andrew Berkley Jr., 2 brothers Wendell (Ludean) & Don (Stephanie) Vaughn and a sister Jean (late Leo) Grant, & several cousins, nieces and nephews, who Aunt Mae loved so much. 

She is preceded in death by the love of her life Gary Frailey, her parents Owen and Minnie Vaughn, sister Mildred (Bud) Pennell, brothers Elbert (Loeva) Vaughn, Jim "Prodge" (Janice) Vaughn, son-in-law Curtis O'Dell, brother-in-law Leo Grant, sister-in-law Barb (Tom) Elkins, nephews Gary Lee & Wesley Paul Vaughn, and Jeff Pennell.

Funeral services are to be held December 7th, 2024, at Hardin County Funeral Service in Rosiclare, IL. The family will receive visitors from 11 AM until the time of service at 1 PM.

 Livestream of service will be available at https://vimeo.com/event/4770220