Community expresses condolences for loss of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle’s wife, Eula

Community expresses condolences for loss of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle’s wife, Eula

Tonight - we are seeing an outpouring of support for huntsville mayor tommy battle - after losing his wife - eula.

Thanks for joining us.

I'm dan shaffer.

And i'm najahe sherman.

Eula battle was a lifelong teacher, mother and community leader... her husband mayor tommy battle announced today that she died after a long battle with cancer.

Eula battle's legacy will live on in huntsville for generations to come... as an educator... she spent more than 31 years in the class room cultivating young minds.

In 2000, she was named madison county teacher of the year for her outstanding service and dedication.

In 2010, when the state legislature severely cut the education budget, eliminating hundreds of dollars for supplies for teacher's classrooms - eula battle took action.

She co-founded free 2 teach... 2:17:01 - it started as a box in my garage.

I have host of volunteers eula battle's non-profit supplies free school materials for local teachers - it has distributed more than $7 million in supplies to huntsville-area educators to date.

3:49:28 - i would love to think that free to teach has helped out.

3:58:14 - our main focus is to get supplies into the hands of children who cannot afford it but also take that financial burden off of teachers eula battle was born in huntsville alabama on sept.

29th 1955... in 1973 she graduated from huntsville high and earned a degree in elementary education.

Once eula "retired" from public education, she went on to support and teach academic program focused on students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

Eula found this role especially rewarding, given her own journey in managing dyslexia.

Eula's focus on education also influenced a mayoral initiative the mayor's book club where she championed businesses to fund more than 100,000 books for students in title 1 schools.

3:19:27 - i thought with eula 24 years ago, she knows practically every teacher coming in the door.

Thanks them for being here.

What else can we get for you, what can we do she is one of a kind.

Friends and family tell us they will miss her gregarious spirit, robust laughter and fierce devotion to family and friends.

Eula battle is survived by her husband, tommy battle, son, grandsons, brothers, sister, 12 nieces and nephews, countless teachers, students and a community to cherish her memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials are sent to free 2 teach or trinity united methodist church in huntsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials are sent to free 2 teach or trinity united methodist church in huntsville.

And here at waay 31 we send our condolences to her friend and family governor kay ivey extended sympathies and prayers to mayor tommy battle in a tweet this morning.

The governor wrote - in part - quote "she was a loving and supportive wife to mayor battle, and as he refers to her, his best friend".

There's been an outpouring of support from government leaders across alabama - and the country.

Limestone county commission chairman collin daly said - quote - "our thoughts and prayers are with huntsville mayor tommy battle and his family during this time.

Eula battle made a lasting impression on our community and our hearts.

She will be deeply missed."

Madison mayor paul finley said - in part - "our deepest condolences to mayor battle and the entire battle family for the loss of an incredible lady.

We love you and wrap our arms around you during this time."

Congressman mo brooks tweeted his sympathies to mayor battle and his family.

He wrote - quote - "eula's tremendous legacy will be felt for decades as her kindness & charity ripple through the many lives she touched."

And senator doug jones tweeted his condolences as well.

Jones cited his personal friendship with mayor battle - writing - quote - mayor battle has been a great friend since our college days at the university of alabama and my heart goes out to him today.

Condolances and support continues to pour in for mayor tommy battle and his family.

As