Eleanor Meacham Dailey's Obituary
Eleanor Meacham Dailey passed to her eternal reward in the early hours of February 2, 2021 in Folly Beach, South Carolina, after a rich, meaningful life devoted to God and her family. She had been a resident of South Carolina since October 2018.
She was born Lillie Eleanor Meacham on February 4, 1925 to John William and Mabel (Simmons) Meacham in Repton, Alabama. She briefly studied interior design at the University of Alabama prior to World War II. She married Henry Grady Dailey Jr. in Mobile, Alabama, January 29, 1950, in a private ceremony following regular church services. After living in California and Arkansas, The Daileys moved to Garland, Texas, – a city they called “home” throughout their lives. They had two beautiful daughters and were fully devoted to them and their activities.
She took great pride in being a homemaker and mother, and later, grandmother and great grandmother. Eleanor completed her education in Texas in the 1970s, which enabled her to become a substitute teacher in elementary school classes. In 1980, she resumed a career in public service, working for the Internal Revenue Service in Dallas. Upon her retirement in 1984, she was recognized by then-President Ronald Reagan.
She became a part-time substitute teacher when we girls were in elementary school. Throughout her time as a substitute, she was in demand and renown for reading aloud to her appreciative classes. She wasn’t the sub kids hated. EVERYBODY loved Mrs. Dailey! The kids all wanted her as their permanent teacher. She wasn’t a pushover, though. You got your work done, but then the class was rewarded with “story time,” in which she would read aloud from a selection of our childhood favorites in her gentle, southern drawl.
Mrs. Dailey's house was where the neighborhood kids gathered. She made sure everyone was happy, fed, and loved. She made thousands of the best chocolate chip cookies and brownies over the years, which were sought-after whenever the girls took them to school and on band and church trips. She even went so far as to mail them to the grandsons as special treats once they moved away!
Our Mama was well loved, yet stubborn, opinionated, and self-reliant. She took over the yard work after Kathy moved out in the 80’s, and continued mowing her own lawn until she was 85. She always had lush, green grass that was meticulously manicured, and beautiful, pink and white blooming crepe myrtles lining the yard.
As her neighbors aged and moved away, Mama remained a constant in the neighborhood. She gained new next-door neighbors, Jay and Neva, and dear friends, whose daughter, Janeva, and her family moved in across the street.
In 2015, when it was determined she could no longer safely live alone, Mama bravely sold her home and moved to California to live with Kathy.
It was in those years that her quick wit and sense of humor really shone. At 90 years old, she still always dressed to perfection, every hair in place, and makeup just right. She was a beautiful woman, our mother, inside and out. She always took pride in her appearance, but had lost some
weight before moving to California. On a trip to Walmart, as we walked across the parking lot to the car, her pants simply dropped to her ankles right there in front of everyone. There she stood in her underwear, dignified as always, and all we could do is laugh!
As a special treat, she loved Panera (usually after a doctor appointment). She loved the Broccoli Cheddar soup in a bread bowl, and would order two warm chocolate chip cookies - one for now, and one to save for later.
In 2018, at age 93, she moved to South Carolina with Kathy. She moved into an assisted living facility, 4 miles from Kathy's home.
On March 13, 2020, the government shut down visits to the facility due to covid. She was unable to see any friends or relatives for almost a year.
In her final weeks, she had a fantastic hospice team caring for her. On January 28, 2021 they called and said she was declining rapidly.
When Linda arrived from Oregon, the girls chose to bring her home. Mama came home where she belonged. Her daughters were able to care for her as she had cared for them. She had 4 final days days with her daughters. Although she was non-responsive, she could hear her daughters, who spent hours talking to her, by her side.
Mrs. Dailey's daughters were blessed to have had a mother who raised them to love God and instilled the importance of reading and education.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda Dailey Paulson (Robert) of Portland, Oregon, and Kathy Dailey Hubbard (David) of Folly Beach, South Carolina; Kathy’s children, Larry Akin of Garland, Texas; Christopher Akin of Colorado; Jordan Roque of Denver, Colorado; and Grady Roque of Denver, Colorado; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry Grady Dailey; brothers, Albert Meacham, William Meacham, and Charles E. Meacham; and sister, Dorothy Meacham Shackelford.
A viewing will be available on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75243. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75243, the Rev.David Blackmon presiding.
The family would like to thank the care team with Crescent Hospice, particularly Pam Quinley and Georgetta, as well as the pastoral staff and members at Folly Beach Baptist Church and those family friends who have been holding Mrs. Dailey and her family in prayer.
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.” -- Matthew 25:23
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