Trula Mae (Teffeteller) Eldridge, 101, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Trula Mae lived a long and remarkable life marked by resilience, kindness, humor, and quiet strength.
Born in Maryville, Tennessee, on August 7, 1924, to Luther and Martha Teffeteller, Trula Mae grew up with a deep appreciation for the simple joys of life - a spirit she carried with her for more than a century.
On May 16, 1942, she married Claude Eldridge in Clayton, Georgia. Together they shared 52 years of marriage before his passing - years filled with devotion, partnership, and countless hours singing old Gospel songs together, their voices blending in harmony and faith.
In her early years of motherhood, Trula moved to LaGrange, Illinois, where she built a home filled with love, patience, and the steady presence her family came to depend on. She later became a longtime member of Welcome Hill Baptist Church in Lockport, Illinois, where she found fellowship, purpose, and a spiritual home.
Trula had a cute, funny, and delightfully humorous personality. She giggled at herself often, a lightheartedness that made her company easy and joyful. She loved to sit and people-watch, finding stories and humor in the world around her. She enjoyed puzzles, crosswords, and quilting - each one a reflection of her creativity, her calm spirit, and her gift for bringing order and beauty into everyday life.
She is survived by her son, James Eldridge of Frankfort, Illinois; her daughter and son-in-law, JoAnn and David Robinson of Paducah, Kentucky; and her son-in-law, Eugene Zeller of Paducah, Kentucky; her grandchildren: Leah Bailey (Ray), David Robinson (Brenda), James Eldridge Jr. (Melissa), Danny Zeller, and Shannon Vaughn (Jason); Her great-grandchildren: Lexi Lang (Clayton), Jenna Bailey, Andrew Eldridge, Ava Eldridge, Hillary Robinson, Laurin Berry (Nik), Preston Robinson, Madison Murphy (Brandon), John-Caleb Vaughn (Niki), and Noah Vaughn; And her 13 great-great-grandchildren: Clayton Lang V, Gavin, Maverick, Isla, and Fletcher Berry, Alaina and Elliott Robinson, Eden, Ezra, Shepherd, Esther and Jedidiah Murphy, and Navani Vaughn.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Eldridge; her loving daughter, Caroline Zeller; her beautiful daughter-in-law, Patricia Eldridge; her parents, Luther and Martha Teffeteller; and her siblings: Luther Teffeteller Jr., Clyde Teffeteller, Troy Teffeteller, Ray Teffeteller, Don Teffeteller, Betty Payne, Alice Milsaps, and Martha “Frances” Hill.
A service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Bro. Jared Hayes officiating. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at East Maryville Cemetery in Maryville, Tennessee, officiated by Pastor Douglas Hawkins. Visitation will be held at McCammon Ammons Click Funeral Home in Maryville, Tennessee, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The family invites all who knew her to join in celebrating a life lived with grace, humor, faith, and love.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
