Frank & Bright Funeral Home

Kayla Steele

Sep 29th, 1963 - Apr 15th, 2021

     Kayla Jo Steele, age 57, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021, at St Mary’s Hospital in St Louis, MO.  Kayla was born September 29, 1963, in Flora to Troy Eugene and Thelma Eileen (Dillman) Douthit.  She married Kevin Steele on January 1, 1993. 

     Kayla would do almost anything for anyone and went above and beyond for the children in Flora. She had a loving and generous heart to help children succeed and leaves a legacy of loving and caring for children.  Kayla was such an inspiration to everyone.  She was very creative at putting together games and resources to help the children learn. Kayla loved to have fun and many times mischievous fun.  Even in her pain, she had a way to make you laugh and feel welcome and included.

     Kayla’s family extended way beyond blood and marriage.  Kayla is survived by her husband Kevin, one step-son Keith Steele and his family Brandi and Brantley with a grandbaby she was so looking forward to spoiling due in October; brother Larry (Debbie) Douthit (Newburg, IN); sister Gina Douthit (Flora), sister-in-law Mary Douthit (Evansville, IN), step-sister Christina Forth (Jack) Eisaman (Markle, IN); step-brother Mark Forth (Huntington, IN), sister Brandi Douthit (Henderson, KY), and brother-in-law Walter Steele (Suzanne) of Flora.  She and Kevin had several “adopted” daughters they hosted as exchange students: Annika Hartman (Germany), Laura Bonczkn (Germany), Michaela Vassova (Slovakia), Oyuka Munkhbat (Mongolia), and Xinyi Zhang [Millie Steele] (China/Nevada).  Several nieces and nephews Court, Lacey, Jason, Amber, Bryce, Taylor, Sturling, Trisha, Tori, Jarius, and Ethan; and a growing number of great-nieces and nephews. 

     Kayla was preceded in death by her parents, two stepmothers Thelma Louise Taylor Douthit and Annie Burkett Douthit, her mother- and father-in-law Barney and Ruth Steele, her grandparents Troy and Grace Douthit, Claude and Ora Dillman, and Doris Bright; brother Danny Douthit, nephew Eric Douthit, brother-in-law Gene Daggett, niece and nephew Derek Windle and Natasha Windle, and her precious son Brent Shroyer. 

     Kayla’s work here on earth is done and may her beautiful legacy be carried on, paid forward by those who have been blessed by her.  

     Visitation is from 5 until 7 pm on Wednesday, April 21, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 am Thursday, April 22, at the funeral home.  Interment will follow in Kneff Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to the Kayla Steele Memorial Fund for the Flora Elementary School, which is set up at Xenia Community Bank, or to Fur A Good Paws.  To share a memory or send a condolence, please visit www.frankandbright.com