Tula H. Meador – loving sister, wife, mom, aunt, nana, great-nana and friend
Tula was born on January 30, 1934, in Cloverport, Kentucky. The first four years of her education took place in a one-room schoolhouse. She and her then future husband, Don, were both students there, but Tula says their love didn’t begin until she “got cute” years later in high school. Tula and Don were happily married for 61 years! She once said, “One factor that helped their marriage was that Don thought he was the smartest and I never corrected him”. Tula was a homemaker and stay-at-home mom for many years while Steven and Lori were young.
Shortly after the family moved to Huntsville, she went to work for the US Army Missile Command where she was a dedicated employee for 29 years. She made many life-long friends through her years at Missile Command. Tula was a member of Whitesburg Baptist Church for over 50 years where she spent many enjoyable years serving in the nursery, caring for infants. Her love for babies was indescribable. She would say, “When I get to Heaven, I’m going to rock babies all day long.”
Tula loved God’s beautiful world, especially flowers, birds, sunsets and the colors of leaves in the Fall. She was a huge Kentucky Basketball fan and when she wasn’t watching basketball she enjoyed traveling, train rides, crochet, Hallmark movies, and any event or outing that involved family. Tula would agree to just about anything if it was an opportunity to be with her family.
Tula’s unconditional love for her children and family was immeasurable…she was the heart and foundation of her family. When the family was asked how they would describe her, these words were listed: peacemaker, loving, supporter, attentive, fun-loving, humble, best friend, giving, patient, thoughtful, appreciative, grateful, honest, direct, witty-so very funny, considerate/put others before herself, strong, little but mighty, spunky, loved to laugh, beautiful soul, and her phone etiquette needed some work (family inside joke as Tula often hung up from a conversation without warning or a closing salutation).
Tula is survived by her beloved sister and best friend, Elnora Wallace; her children, John Steven Meador (Terica) and Lori Meador Wright (Graham); five grandchildren, Brandon Moody (Katie), Sarah Meador (Jonathan Davis), Abbey Moody, Courtney Howell (Josh), and Dexter Wright (Candace); three great- grandchildren, Walter Moody, Ava Wright and Emma Wright: sister-in-law, Sherry Meador: five nephews, Brent Cahal, Jeff Wallace, Michael Huffines, and Lee Meador; three nieces, Lisa Rice, Pam Wallace, and Robin Hildesheim; as well as great nieces, great nephews and extended family. All that knew Tula, adored and loved her. She was truly a light anywhere she went. While we will mourn the loss of Tula, we also celebrate her life. Her memories and the many ways she touched our lives will always be with us.
Tula’s favorite Bible verse which she shared with her grandchildren is Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer”
Visitation will be Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Whitesburg Baptist Church South Campus Chapel, 7300 Whitesburg Dr, Huntsville, AL 35802
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital are appreciated. (www.stjude.org)
