Mildred Johnson Eakins, age 85, of Ivanhoe went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.

Mildred was born October 19, 1922, in Kerr, NC (Harrells). She was the daughter of the late Enoch Johnson and Ida Kennedy Johnson. She was the youngest of five children. She was preceded in death by brothers, Clayton Johnson and D.W. Johnson and sister, Eva Belle Williamson. She is survived by her sister, Lucy Gray Massey of Graham, NC.

Mildred graduated from Franklin High School on April 19, 1939, and was a graduate of Mars Hill College where she majored in Home Economics in 1941. She married the love of her life, Cecil Goodrich Eakins on July 17, 1941, who preceded her in death on January 16, 2003.

Mildred was a member of Penderlea Baptist Church where she enjoyed the Christian fellowship especially her Sunday school class. Mildred was a former member of Shiloh Baptist Church where she formed the first Young Adult Sunday School Class and was instrumental in organizing the Training Union program, serving as director for fifteen years. She was a faithful servant and served God in many capacities. Mildred was a Sunday school teacher, served on many committees and was a strong supporter of mission programs. Mildred loved music and enjoyed listening to Christian music.

It's unbelievable all the things one small lady has done. As wife of former Pender County Commissioner she accompanied him on many farm and commissioner trips. She began and lived her life on the farm growing many crops and also established a dairy farm. She and her husband won many trophies for growing strawberries. She was a lady of many talents. She was an accomplished seamstress, winning awards in county dress reviews. Mildred was a designer making most all of her and her children's clothes and she designed and made tailored suits and wedding dresses. She also excelled in lap quilting, crocheting, knitting, flower arranging, refinishing and upholstering furniture. She was a gardener and loved to share with community friends when harvest was plentiful. She froze or canned all her vegetables and jellies. She enjoyed planting her flowers, especially roses. She was a substitute mail carrier for Ivanhoe Post Office for many years.

Mildred was active in the Homemakers Club, especially the Columbia Homemakers Club. Needless to say, she was an excellent cook. Her motto was "If it's not from scratch, it's not any good." She was a cake decorator, making many wedding cakes for family and friends. Mildred held leadership positions on the local, county and district levels. She received Leadership Awards for the following: A&P Leadership and Club Woman of the Year Award. She was Pender County Council President 1955, 1956 and 1968; County Council Secretary in 1969; District Vice President in 1956, District President in 1957, Chairman of the District nominating committee for two terms. She was a member of the State Homemakers Council in 1957 and 1972, delegate to the National Homemakers in Chicago in1956, Dallas in 1971 and traveled to Australia in 1974 as an ACCW delegate. She and her husband were awarded the Farmer of the year Award in 1949. In addition to her homemaker's work, Mildred was active in school projects and served on the Board of Directors of Pender County Agricultural Fair Association and the Centennial Steering Committee. She won many ribbons for her canned goods, livestock and homemade items. She was also a parent and leader in the Pender County 4-H Club for many years. She and her husband won many trophies for growing strawberries. For many years Mildred was an active member of The Rockfish Chapter, NC Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Talent was prevalent in the life of Mildred. She was a loving, caring, hardworking, honest and competitive lady. She always strived for the best and would not settle for less. She instilled in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that you can be anything you want to be if you set your mind to it.

For relaxation she enjoyed her home in surf City and loved to fish in the ocean in front of her house. There she enjoyed her family, friends, and taught her grandchildren how to fish. She had many enjoyable fellowships at the beach with her church family. A special enjoyment was traveling with Cecil in the United States, Europe, the Far East, South and Central America. She especially enjoyed going on cruises and her shopping trips to Myrtle Beach.

Mildred was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. She loved her family but most importantly she loved the Lord. She was deeply loved by her children; sons, Cecil Franklin Eakins and wife, Judie, of Wilmington and J. William Eakins, MD and wife, Shelby, of Wilmington; daughter, Patricia Eakins Simmons and husband, Thomas " Skeet", of Ivanhoe; grandchildren, Darrin Eakins, MD and wife, Christy, of Colorado, Shannon Eakins and wife, Christy, of Wilmington, Christie Eakins of Wilmington, Mitch Eakins of California, Lisa Eakins of Wilmington, Cecilia Langston and husband, Keith, of Atkinson, Brandon Simmons and wife, Candi, of Ivanhoe; and great grandchildren, Emily Eakins, Alex Eakins, Casey Eakins, Conner Eakins, James Newton, Haleigh Langston and Hayden Langston.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Shiloh Baptist Church with Mr. David DeVane and the Rev. Rick Moore officiating.

Burial will follow in the Eakins Family Cemetery, Watha, NC.

Casketbearers will be Harold Eakins, Keith Langston, Enoch Johnson, Larry Eakins, Kenneth Eakins and grandsons, Shannon Eakins, Brandon Simmons and Darrin Eakins, MD.

The family will receive friends 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday at Shiloh Baptist Church prior to the funeral service and at other times will be at the home of Pat and Skeet Simmons in Ivanhoe. .

The family gives special thanks to Charles Almond, MD for the special care given to our mother through the years. We are grateful to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center staff and to her caregivers and staff at Claire Bridge of Wilmington for their compassion and dedicated care shown to our mother. A special thanks to Espie Pesaturo for her love and being such a wonderful friend. Our mom's values and love will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Mildred will long be remembered by her family and friends for her energetic nature, witty humor, integrity and caring love that she shared with all.

Memorial contribution may be made to the Cecil G. Eakins Music & Church Education Fund, C/O NC Community Foundation, 4601 Six Forks Rd, Suite 524, Raleigh, NC 27609 or Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 2222 S 17th St., Wilmington, NC 28401.

To send condolences to the family visit www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.