Obituary of Eula Mae Milligan Ralph

 Eula Mae Milligan Ralph was born on October 22, 1929 in the Battery Rock Precinct of Hardin County, Illinois. Her parents were Burley and Ethel Milligan. She had one brother C.W., who passed away as a young child.

 Eula Mae, in her teenage years, worked at a waitress for several years in Cave In Rock. She always loved people.

 Eula Mae, at the age of 17, went out on a blind date with some friends one night. Little did she know that blind date would lead her to the love of her life, Charles Sumner Ralph. Eula Mae and Charles’ special day was May 13, 1946. They spent the next 62 years together, until his death on March 20, 2008.

 Eula Mae always wanted a large family and she got that when she met Charles. Together they had siblings, too many nieces and nephews to count, and lots of cousins. Most of the nieces and nephews can share with you the stories of the laundry, the station, going to the river, Hershey Kisses, always having a soda of your favorite kind in that bottom refrigerator drawer, and so many more. 

 Eula Mae renewed a relationship with a cousin in Tennessee , Doug Scott, over the last several years. Eula Mae remained close to her cousins Denise Cornell, Marshall Hufsey, CD Scott, Gwyneth Dutton, Arlin Scott, Romelle Fesser, Janice Rose, Bob Littrell, Wanda Faye Tinsley, and Rosemary Adams. One thing was always certain,  Eula Mae and Charles ALWAYS told all of us “their kids” that they loved us and it truly showed.

 Eula Mae and Charles owned and operated Ralph’s Laundry for countless years, never closing the doors except one Thanksgiving when Eula Mae finally convinced Charles for just one day to close. They didn’t go on vacation or far from the house. Uncle Charles was convinced someone would need the laundry. 

 The things they did enjoy was going to the DuQuoin State Fair, spending time together, and spoiling their kids.

 Eula Mae loved holidays! She would decorate for just about all of them. Halloween meant decorations, candy, and lots of pictures. Christmas was no different! Her Christmas village has always been beautiful and one of her prized possessions. It was a must see every year. Christmas also meant buying many of the nieces and nephews Christmas ornaments for a keepsake, always labeled C+E and the date. 

 Eula Mae and Charles were never really pet people, but they loved to watch the squirrels. However that changed when someone dropped off their babies, Patches and Tippy. Patches took to Eula Mae and Tippy to Charles. They loved and adored those cats and those cats knew it too. The cats even got Christmas ornaments yearly. They were the fattest cats you have ever saw.

 After losing Charles, Eula Mae had many friends and family to keep her busy. However, two of those girls were Gladys Spivey and Olveta Daymon. The 3 musketeers –  they enjoyed outings together, going to church, but most of all each others’ company. Thetna Hughes was one of Eula Mae’s long time friends from Lambtown. Shirley Logan and Eula Mae were cousins and life long friends. Shirley even adopted one of Eula Mae’s nieces as her own.  She was also good friends with Noel and Betty Hurford, and Brenda Birch. 

 Eula Mae began going to the Golden Circle and made many new friends. One in particular became very special, Candy Carr. Candy was truly a blessing from God. She helped Eula Mae with doctor appointments, shopping, and just girls day outings. Candy was a great friend to Eula Mae. 

 Eula Mae always enjoyed going to the Ralph and Scott family reunions and meeting all the new babies.

 Though Charles and Eula Mae never had children of their own they had an adopted son Greg Love, who they loved just like their own, along with a huge family.

 On Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 6 a.m., Eula Mae Milligan Ralph went home to be with Jesus, Charles, her parents Burley and Ethel, brother C.W. and many other family members waiting on her on the other side of those pearly gates. She will be greatly missed.

 Services for Eula Mae Milligan Ralph will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. and Greg Love will officiate.  Burial will be in Central Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Central Cemetery, Mt. Zion Cemetery, Beavers Cemetery and Cave Hill Cemetery.

Published in the July 2, 2026 Hardin County Independent.

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