It is with great sorrow that we share the news that our longtime board member, mentor, and friend Eula Hall has passed. Eula served on the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program Board of Directors for nearly 40 years and as a guiding light for eastern Kentucky her entire life.

Eula’s life of service was built on the foundational belief that all people are equally worthy of respect and care. She was a pioneer for health in eastern Kentucky and a staunch advocate for the poor. Through the years she picketed at coal mines for better treatment for the workers, pushed for laws to aid suffers of black lung, raised thousands of dollars to bring medical services to her community, ensured that the people of Mud Creek have clean water to drink, and even gave money from her own pocket for food or medicine for people in need. Eula saved lives and thousands of people have better health and a better chance to reach their potential because of her.

Among the many accolades Eula received in her life, she was awarded the 2018 Altha Jo Hamilton Volunteer Award from Community Action Kentucky for her service to our organization and her lifetime of fighting back against poverty. Our agency offers the Eula Hall Community Advocate Scholarship, named in her honor. The college scholarship is meant both to encourage the next generation of community advocates and to commemorate the life and work of an amazing woman.

In an interview, when asked how best to be an advocate, Eula said, “A lot of times a good word is what somebody needs, a good word or a good deed. They need somebody. They need somebody to care.” Her willingness to speak truth to power and her no-nonsense approach to improving the lives of others has been an inspiration to all who knew her. We are privileged to have known her, served alongside her, and called her our friend.

Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to her family. Eula was a gift to eastern Kentucky and we are grateful to have shared in her life with you.