Eula Lowe Irwin

Eula Lowe Irwin, affectionately known as LaLa, gained her wings on Friday, February 7, 2025. Eula dedicated her life to the service of others. She never met a stranger and always offered a helping hand.

Born on June 11, 1946, Eula was raised in Baxley, Georgia by her parents Lydia and Frank Lowe Sr., alongside her brothers George and Frank Jr. Lifelong friendships were formed and precious memories were made in her hometown. Her love of performing was also fostered there as she performed for church groups and civic groups. She loved singing, dancing, acting, and being a ventriloquist. She was awarded FFA Sweetheart and Junior Miss Appling County. In fact, she received the honor of being named “Most Talented” at the Junior Miss Georgia pageant. In 1964, Eula graduated from Appling County High School. After attending South Georgia College, she studied at University of Georgia. While there, she was a member of Alpha Zeta Delta.

In 1969, Eula graduated with a degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Shortly thereafter, Eula relocated to Jacksonville, where she was hired as a speech and language pathologist. In the early years, she used her skills as a ventriloquist to help students with speech impediments. For 34 years, she was employed as a speech pathologist by Duval County Public Schools and had the pleasure of being a member of many different school families. During her years in education, she positively impacted the lives of countless children. Her philosophy was clear: all children can learn, and all children must be treated with respect.

Throughout her life, Eula served her community. Eula was a leader for Scouts with Special Needs and Disabilities, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts. During her retirement, she organized and led a charter of The Red Hat Society at a local nursing home. She sponsored activities at Ben’s Place, a center for adults with disabilities. Her greatest love was teaching children to read. She volunteered her time in various classrooms and even homes. Even while battling cancer, she organized a schoolwide art festival. One of her proudest moments was being recognized as Duval County Public School’s Senior Volunteer of the Year.

Teaching was more than a vocation. It was her legacy. Her daughter Jennifer and her granddaughter Avery followed in her footsteps. Her beloved husband Bob was also a teacher. Their love story began by having lunch together in the faculty lounge. That love story continued to be written for decades. Since his passing, she often expressed, “I loved, and I have been loved.”

While cancer does not define someone, a person’s fight against it should. Eula was a warrior. For over a decade, she fought a valiant battle against cancer. She tackled the experience with her sense of humor, her personal brand of feistiness, and her son-in-law and caretaker Sean. Throughout her cancer journey, her goal was to live long enough to care for her husband Bob. She achieved that goal.

Eula is survived by her son James Davis, her daughter Jennifer Jones, her son-in-law Sean Jones, her favorite granddaughter Avery Davis, her sisters-in-law Frances Lowe and Joan Irwin, her nieces and nephew, and a multitude of former students of whom she loved dearly.

A visitation for Eula will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Event Pavilion, 1373 Memorial Park Road, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A Graveside Service for her will take place on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park.