Beulah Wiley Strayer (Eula), aged 85, of Westcliffe, Colorado, passed away on April 10. Eula was born on July 12, 1939, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Robert Brooks Wiley and Beulah (Malone) Wiley. She graduated from Pueblo County High School, Kansas Wesleyan University, and earned her master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Eula met her husband, Reverend Michael G. Strayer while attending KWU, and they were married on February 5, 1960.
In 1968, their family was complete with the addition of a daughter, Carrie Elizabeth. They resided and worked throughout Colorado and Utah before settling in Westcliffe in 1977. Eula served as both a librarian and teacher at Custer County School from 1979 to 1999. Throughout her tenure, she significantly impacted many students by sharing her passion for literature, history, and speech while instilling the importance of learning in all. Eula was a lifelong active member of the United Methodist Church, contributing in various capacities, from being a minister’s wife to participating in numerous committees and groups. She dedicated her time to volunteering with several organizations within the Westcliffe community, including The Christian School, Beckwith Ranch, All Aboard Westcliffe, and various community choirs and bands.
Among Eula’s cherished interests were books, sewing, knitting, music—both singing and playing instruments, attending the opera every summer, and her pets. Eula loved to travel and visited her daughter and her family wherever they were stationed in the world. Her love for her grandchildren surpassed even her love for books, and she treasured the time she spent with them.
Eula was preceded in death by her husband, Michael G. Strayer; her sister, LaVerne Gill; brother-in-law, Donald Gill; brother, Robert Brooks Wiley Jr.; sister-in-law, Rama Lee Wiley. She is survived by her daughter, Carrie Martin (Richard, SFC retired); her grandchildren, Jacob, Quinn, and Zoë Martin; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.
A celebration of Eula’s life will take place in Westcliffe on Saturday, May 31, at Lange Hall at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community United Methodist Church in Westcliffe.
