of Mayflower, AR
January 15, 1924 - December 12, 2014
Vera ''Elois'' McCaghren, 90, of Mayflower, went to be with her Lord on December 12, 2014. She was born in Greenbrier on January 15, 1924 to the late Virgil and Minnie Ann Dickens. Elois was a member of the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church at Morgan. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Joe McCaghren, and one brother, Perry Dickens.
After graduating from Mayflower High School, Elois received a Bachelors' degree in Elementary Education from the Arkansas State Teachers College. She taught in the Mayflower School District for 31 years, teaching several grades including kindergarten, sixth, seventh, and high school. After retiring, she remained involved in the district through 15 years of service on the school board. She helped attain many grants for community projects, including: the city park, the Mayflower High School Track, and her most beloved: the Mayflower Senior Citizens Center. Elois's strong community involvement included membership on the Local Council of Aging, Faulkner Co. Museum Board, Faulkner County Senior Citizens Program, volunteer director for the Mayflower Senior Citizens Center, and she could always be found working any local, state, or federal election. Her dedication earned her numerous awards, such as the United Way Volunteer of the Month Award, Mayflower Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, Volunteer Service Award from Governor Bill Clinton, and the Point of Light Award from President George Bush. Most recently, the elementary school in Mayflower was named the Elois McCaghren Elementary School in her Honor.
Elois is survived by her son, Billy McCaghren, and wife Virginia, of Mayflower, her daughter, JoAnn Townsend, and husband, Bill, of Greenbrier. Three siblings: one sister, Fay McCoy, wife of the late Lindsey McCoy, two brothers, Jerrell Dickens, and wife, Betty, of Mayflower, and Virgil Dickens Jr. and wife, Cheri, of California. Grandchildren: Kristy Roberts and husband, George, Karon Reynolds and husband, Mike, Billy McCaghren Jr. and wife, Norma, Wade McCaghren and wife, Brandy. Her six great-grandchildren: Chase Roberts, Gavin Roberts, Morgan Scroggin, Wyatt McCaghren, Karlee McCaghren, and Callen McCaghren. She leaves behind a host of beloved extended family, friends, and past students.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Mayflower with burial to follow at Mayflower Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Monday, December 15, 2014 at the Church.
In Lieu of Flowers the family asks all donations to be made to the Mayflower Senior Citizens Center: 1 Ashmore Dr, Mayflower, AR 72106.
To the McCaghren Family
I am so sorry for your loss. Ms Eloise was a true treasure. She has been a part of my life since I can remember. Even after moving away, I would visit and she always had time to speak with me. I also got quizzed on local, state and federal politics which I enjoyed more than she ever knew. When I would falter she would always grin and ask me who taught me CIVICS.
The town of Mayflower has lost a genuine heroine.
Teresa Yant Ley
To the McCaghren Family
I am so sorry for your loss. Ms Eloise was a true treasure. She has been a part of my life since I can remember. Even after moving away, I would visit and she always had time to speak with me. I also got quizzed on local, state and federal politics which I enjoyed more than she ever knew. When I would falter she would always grin and ask me who taught me CIVICS.
The town of Mayflower has lost a genuine heroine.
Teresa Yant Ley
My sympathy to you JoAnn and to your whole family.
Our town and schools will never be touched by a grand lady as was Elois McCaghren who dedicated her lifetime to both. She attended and taught and served on the board and gave our school her all.
She has touched many lives in her time. We have gave up many a volume of a live history book with her passing. She more than gave us our share of her life.
Now, it is time for her to go home and be with her beloved husband, who is probably sitting on a nail keg...drinking a 5 cent coke and listening to one of Holly Raney's stories.
With great respect, Jim Raney
Ms. McCaghren will truly be missed, but her work is done here, she has gone home to be with her Lord and Savior, she will be reunited with her love, Mr. Joe McCaghren,. Don't forget family it's not goodbye i'ts only I WILL SEE LATER!
She was so proud of all her family, rember her love she had for each of you and keep it dear to your heart. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers, may GOD bless and keep you!
A great lady will be missed but never forgotten especially in the city of Mayflower. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
She was an awesome Teacher....she will be greatly missed.
Elois was present at Mayflower High School the summer I was interviewed for a position as HS English teacher. She was a constant there, on the Board, and in the community all my years at MHS. Not only was she a co-worker and a guide, she was a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you, her loved ones.
To the McCaghren family:
Mrs. Eloise was such a blessing to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. May God give you peace during this difficult time. You all will be in my prayers.
Rest in love, Mrs. McCaghren.
Sheryl Crow Bain
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
JoAnn, Bill and family I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!
I received the Elois McCaghren award when I graduated from MHS, and it was a huge honor! She has a wonderful legacy through all of the generations she impacted! I'm blessed to have known her. Prayers for all of the family during this time.
She was a great lady and she will be greatly missed.Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Don, Doris and Preston Scroggin
So sorry for your loss. Mrs. McCaghren was a wonderful person. My prayers are with you all.
Sammie Krisell
What an amazing woman we have lost. She was greatly loved and inspired many!
She was such a wonderful teacher and friend to many students. She followed our 6th grade class to Jr. High and she taught us so much and supported us. We loved her and appreciated her support! Her work will follow her! Prayers!
Thinking and praying for you.
Dw & Karen
Just an iconic figure in the lives of so many. She will be missed
There are a few people, places and things that have remained a constant in my life and Mrs. McCaghren was one of those people. I"ve know her all my life and she was a large part of my life while I was in school, as she was for so many others. I was one of those students who found most of school to be boring. Once, while in her class, supposing to be reading our Civic book, I was instead reading a book on Art History. When Mrs. McCaghren caught me she just asked why I was interested in that subject so I explained, all the while expecting to be in big trouble. Instead, she told me that she would take me to the County Library any time that I wanted to go, because our school library carried very little on the subject. Now that"s a Teacher.
so sorry for the passing of Granny. Thoughts and prayers for all the family
I am so sorry for your loss. I know Mrs. McCaghren has left many good memories for her family. May God bless your family during this time.
Prayerfully,
Laura Burris
Our thoughts and prayers for the family.
I have known Mrs.McCaghren my whole life she was a great lady she will be missed you are in my thoughts and prayers
We will all miss Eloise. It was a blessing that she was able to visit with friends in the cafe still. Eloise will be remembered for her friendly support and concern by everyone who met her. Our thoughts are with you.
Nannette Smith
Diana Howell
Deana Howell
Jaqui Howell
Dale & Michele Hays
Our deepest condolences go out to Mrs. McCaghren's family. She was one of my favorite teachers and a woman that one strived to be like in life. I have many, many wonderful memories of this special woman. God Bless her.
We both loved Elois dearly. She was such a wonderful teacher and good example of what we should all be. She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her as she touched so many lives.
She will forever be in our hearts and your all in our prayers. Love to all.
I have so many wonderful memories of Ms. Elois as I was growing up and going to school. There is absolutely no room in this small space to tell of all the things she meant to her students and her peers. She was always firm but she loved her kids. She will be greatly missed not only by her loving family but by all whose lives she touched. Jan and I are better people for having known her here. Our hearts and our prayers goes out to the family during this time.
To the McCaghren family. I'm so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Elois was always a pleasant person to be around. She was always willing to help with the elections and did it with great honor. She will be missed. You and the family will be in our prayers