Eula Rollins

EULA LEE RILEY was born on March 14, 1938 in Tallahassee, Florida. She was the fifth of ten children born to William A. and Willie Bell Riley. She attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at a very early age. 

Eula received her formal education at Bond Elementary and Lincoln High School, both in Tallahassee, Florida.

On December 6, 1957, Eula married Roy Lee Rollins and from their union came their first daughter, Jacqueline Denise. Only a few years later, the couple started a new life in San Diego, California, where they welcomed their second daughter, Cara Lee. Upon relocating, Eula joined Mt. Erie Missionary Baptist Church, where she participated in Sunday School, served faithfully in the Sanctuary Choir, and has been a dedicated member for over fifty years.

When Eula joined the workforce, she started as a housekeeper and later became a teacher's aide in the San Diego Unified School District, where she served at Boone and Freese Elementary. Ultimately, she found her home aiding at Mt. Erie Christian Academy, where everyone fell in love with "Mrs. Rollins." She made everyone there feel as if they were her absolute favorite.

Eula deeply cared about people and devoted her entire life to serving others. Her life's work included being a foster parent for over twenty years while caring for over thirteen children. Her passion for helping people also extended into the neighborhoods she lived in, families at her church, and even to strangers she met on the street or bus. Because of how nurturing she was, many affectionately called her "Granny." In her eyes, unconditional love and honesty was a gift she had, and she never hesitated to give it to others.

On March 19, 2018, Eula answered God's call peacefully in her sleep. She was a committed believer, who adored her Pastor and First Family, a genuine friend, and a person who truly impacted the world she existed in. Her legacy starts and ends with an encouraging word, an extended hand, and a shared laugh that could get you through anything.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, William A. and Willie Belle Riley; siblings: William "T.C." Riley, Leonard John Riley, Lawrence C. Riley, Sr., Barbara Jean Riley; husband, Roy Rollins; and daughter, Jacqueline Jefferson.

She leaves to cherish her memory siblings: Estelle Whitaker (John Henry), Alfred James Riley, Allen Riley (Melinda), Lettie Mae Riley, Morris Lee Riley (Della) all of Tallahassee, Florida; devoted daughter Cara Hayward of San Diego, CA; grandchildren: Kieshia Jefferson, Mario Townsend, Michelle Zachey, Jonathan Zachey all of San Diego, CA, Marcel Hayward of Dallas, TX, Shontay Mays of Battle Creek, MI, Artasia Hayward of Los Angeles, CA, Jasmine Tatum of Huntsville, AL; great-grandchildren; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eula Rollins, please visit our floral store.