Eula Jean Paley

Eula Jean Thompson Paley was born on March 8, 1939 in Houston, Texas to K.C. and Ocie Thompson. She attended Twenty Third Avenue Elementary School and Booker T. Washington Junior and Senior High School. She was raised in Second Baptist Church in the Heights and later united with Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. S.J. Gilbert II.

Jean, as she was affectionally called, was active in High School where she was on the Drum and Bugle Squadron. She married her high school sweetheart Henry Louis Paley on April 9, 1960.To this union was born one daughter, Kimberli Deirdre. As an Air Force wife, she travelled to many places. She lived life to the fullest and made many friends along the way. While in Bermuda she played on Supply Squadron Girls’ Basketball Team. When they were stationed in San Antonio, she received her degree in nursing at St. Phillips College. They finally resettled back in Houston in 1972. She became a member of the Maple Leaf Chapter #59 of The Order of Eastern Star where she worked tirelessly alongside her beloved Aunt Mae for many years. She was also a member of the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association and a proud a member of Mt. Sinai’s Seasoned Saints. She worked at Memorial Hospital SW, West End Health Clinic and, also did private duty nursing as an LVN. She decided to take a break from nursing and worked as a Teacher’s Aide for Special Education students at Welch MS, Whittier Elem. and Waltrip H.S. in HISD. She returned to nursing and retired from the VA Hospital.

Although quiet in spirit, Jean loved people with all her heart and showed compassion to family, friends and strangers alike. She opened her heart and home to everyone she met. She was always ready to travel and continued until her health began to fail.

On June 11th she was called to join her beloved mother, Ocie Thompson Finley, and father K.C. Thompson, her Aunt Mae whom she was devoted to and cared for in her home for many years. She is also preceded in death by her sister Shirley Thompson Pradia, brothers, Carl Thompson, Charles Melvin Thompson and nephews, Marlon Christopher Pradia, Todd Jeffery Pradia, nieces, Sharon Malone Gaines and Sonseria Love and God-daughter Janis Canada.

Among those she leaves to cherish her memories, are her husband of 60 years, Henry Louis Paley, daughter Kimberli Deirdre Paley Scott, sisters Joyce Thompson Aubrey, Pearl Thompson Love, brother Everett Lee “Richard” Thompson (Wauline), grandchildren, Leia Scott Eaden (Willie Jr.), Lauren Scott Dean (Paul) Kyler Scott and Kira Scott, great grandchildren, Bray Elijah Eaden, Willie Earl Eaden III and Navah Emorie Deirdre Eaden. She was God-mother to many who will also cherish her memories, among them, Tracey Brooks Thomas (Pastor Robert Thomas), Courtney Love, Sean Pradia (Anna) Pastor Eric Phillips (Chiquida) and many others. Life-long friends Mary Brooks, Katie Murchinson and Betty Jackson Powell. Devoted nieces Tanya Thompson and Angela Francis (Deacon Ronald Francis) and a host of family and friends.