Eula Jean (Ash) McConal, born August 14, 1940, to Johnnie and Minnie Ash, passed away peacefully September 22, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and service. She was born in the countryside just north of Desdemona, Texas, where she attended Desdemona School, graduating in May 1958. Eula Jean continued her education at Abilene Christian College from 1958 to 1962. Following her graduation, she began her career as an educator, teaching in Seminole, Texas. She then spent one year teaching in Midland, but quickly returned to Seminole when she married her soulmate. Eula Jean continued her career with Seminole ISD until her retirement.
On August 20, 1965, Eula Jean married the love of her life, DJ McConal, and together they raised four children: Natasha Kay Hargrove, Rebecca Leigh Bedingfield, Nathan Stuart McConal, and Danita Dawn Erwin. Eula Jean was dedicated to her loved ones with her greatest joy being the love she shared with her family. She was a very proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
If you knew Eula Jean then you know she was a faithful Christian who lived her life devoted to the Lord. At any given moment, you could find her singing hymns or quoting scripture, whether she was cleaning the house, working with DJ in the garden, or sitting in her favorite chair embroidering or tatting. Eula Jean was the true depiction of the woman described in Proverbs 31, constantly serving and taking care of others with humility and grace.
The dedication she had for others also carried over into her career as a beloved teacher and school counselor. She and DJ both valued a love for learning, and she cared deeply for all of her students. As a school counselor, she offered wisdom and encouragement to everyone she met, a trait she carried throughout her life. No matter what someone was facing, she always knew what to say to add a positive perspective to it all.
Eula Jean was a woman of ingenuity and self-sufficiency, capable of fixing nearly anything with her own unique touch. Her home was a place of warmth, where everyone who walked through her door felt like family. Her greatest piece of advice was always to “count your blessings,” a phrase she lived by and shared often, reminding those around her of the many ways in which she felt blessed.
She is survived by her children: Natasha Kay Hargrove and husband Eric, Rebecca Leigh Bedingfield and husband Kyle, Nathan Stuart McConal, and Danita Dawn Erwin and husband Chris. Six grandchildren: K’Leigh Dawn Sims and husband Brad, Ross Hargrove and wife Rachel, Jadie Cate Hargrove, Nathan Slade Bedingfield, Izabella Christine Erwin, and Emmilyne Jae Erwin. She also had the blessing of three great-grandchildren: Jamie Slade Sims, Mason Pryor Sims, and Leighton Layne Sims. She is also survived by sister-in-law Jodi Ash of Clyde, Texas, and Mary Ethel McConal of Hobbs, New Mexico.
Eula Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband DJ McConal on May 11, 2017, six siblings and their spouses, along with multiple in-laws whom she loved like her own.
Her legacy of love, kindness, and resilience will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew her. She would want us all to remember and share with others Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
The family would like to give a special thank you to her best friend, Ouida Hargrove, for all of the visits, food, laughs, and adventures they shared together. Also, the family would like to thank Wings Over Texas for helping make this transition comfortable and peaceful. A special thank you to Regina Wellborn and Adriana Flores for their attention, kindness, and care.
In lieu of flowers, Eula Jean requested donations be sent to Sacred Selections in support of adopting families, the Honor Flight Network, or a charitable organization of choice.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Stephenville Funeral Home in Stephenville, Texas. The funeral service will take place the following day at Stephenville Funeral Home, Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., with a graveside service to follow at 12:30 p.m. in Goldthwaite, Texas.