Calvin Eakins Sr. (February 25, 1927 - November 30, 2007)

Calvin Eakins, Sr. was born on February 25, 1927 in Lauderdale, Mississippi to the union of Lewis and Hattie Eakins.  He was the third oldest of eleven children and the oldest son.  He received his early education at Elizabeth School and accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined Elizabeth Baptist Church.  Upon entering his late teens, he moved to Greenville, Mississippi where he became employed at Pepsi Cola.  Calvin relocated to Cleveland, Ohio in his early 20's and continued his employment with Pepsi Cola.  He later worked for many years in construction and was a longstanding member of the Laborer's International Union of North America, Local 245.  Calvin was married to the former Elinor Bethea and to this union was born three sons.  After early retirement for health reasons, Calvin spent his later years investing in real estate, farming, hunting and fishing on his property in Dorset, Ohio.  He became very adept at trap shooting and cross-bow hunting.  He will be well remembered for his loud infectious laughter, his black cowboy hat, attempts to sing country music (Kenny Rogers), and most of all, his kind heart.  You never knew when he might show up at the Dorset Post Office with some sweet corn or cabbage, or buy a round of drinks at the Wall Street Pub in Jefferson.  Calvin was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Willie Lee Thornton and Bernice Moore.  He leaves loved ones awaiting Christ's return and his resurrection:  son Calvin Eakins Jr. (Jean) of Omaha, Nebraska, and his son Brian;  son Lewis Eakins (Denese) of Huntsville, Alabama and his children Colleen, Sheldon and Justin;  son Curtis Eakins (Paula) of Huntsville, Alabama and his daughters Liana and Lania;  son Victor Pritchett (Samantha) of Cleveland, Ohio and his children Dequina, Victor Jr., Quonesha, Jessica and grandson Mahki;  daughter Cynthia Thedford of North Charleston, South Carolina;  sisters Lucretia Manning of Waterloo, Iowa, Katherine Schons of Meridian, Mississippi, Fannie Mae Betts of Detroit, Michigan, Ardale Lawrence of Chicago, Illinois, Lucille Ford of Cleveland, Ohio, Wyvonnia Green of Chicago, Illinois, brother Lewis Eakins Jr. of Meridian, Mississippi; and a host of close relatives and many dear and special friends.

Mack Edwards (March 11, 1928 - April 12, 2004)

Tyrone Edwards (March 1, 1952 - June 10, 2007)

Tyrone LaVelle Edwards was born March 1, 1952 to Arthur and Alberta Edwards.  He was a lifetime resident of Cleveland, Ohio and attended the Cleveland Public School System. 

Tyrone was affectionately known simply as "T" by family and friends. He enjoyed music, dancing, and playing pool. Most of all he enjoyed his role as a Recovery Motivator Speaker always encouraging others to "Keep Coming Back". He was employed as a Recovery Motivator at the Orca House until the time of his illness.  Tyrone ("T") Edwards was called to eternal rest on June 10, 2007 after an extended illness at Braeview Manor & Rehab Center.  Preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Alberta Edwards and sis Jacqueline Baker, he leaves o cherish his memory his wife Crystal Edwards of Mesa, AZ; son Tyronne Edwards Jr. of Cleveland, OH; surrogate daughter Trina (Darrin) Harvey of Cleveland, OH; stepsons Donald Smith Jr. of Modesto, CA and Robert "Buddy" Wright II of Mesa, AZ; stepmother, Vena (Darryl) Lynn of Mesa, AZ. He is also survived by three brothers, James (Lillian) Hanks, Arthur Edwards both of Cleveland, OH and Andre (Terrie) Edwards of Akron, OH; five grandchildren that he loved dearly and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Stanley R. Elam (December 12, 1958 - February 5, 2007)

Daniel Lee Ellington (November 26, 1959 - December 17, 2003)

Daniel Lee Ellington was born on November 26, 1959 to the late Charles Franklin Ellington, Sr. and Pearle Mae Ellington.  Daniel was raised and nurtured in a Christian home where love and compassion for others was taught.  "Danny", at a young age devoted himself to helping and caring for his neighbors, particularly the elderly and disabled.  He truly followed in his father's footsteps as he became known in his community as a helper.  He recently made confession of his acceptance of Christ and passionately desired to be baptized.  That desire was fulfilled as his family and friends witnessed the occasion.  Danny lived the remainder of his days enjoying life-always joyful, continuing to help his neighbors and occasionally partaking of his favorite pastime- "beating his drums".  He adored his daughter and his two grandsons.  He considered them a gift from God.  Danny, our beloved, is already terribly missed, but we know that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," and in that, we rejoice!  Awaiting that Great Gettin' Up Morning are his mother,  Pearle; daughter, Denise Ellington; grandsons,  Maurice & Marshon Gray; brother,  Charles Ellington (Gail); sisters,  Lydia Smith (George), Diana Reid (James) and Barbara Ellington; nephews, Mark Ellington (Leslie), Charles Ellington III (Latoya), Andre Sneed, James Reid III and Jayson Reid; nieces, Eryka Ellington, Rachel Reid, and Artavia Hardwick and many others who affectionately referred to him as "Uncle Danny".  Danny had numerous friends and acquaintances, young and old, who were indelibly touched by him.  Danny truly loved his family and although we have suffered a great loss, God gave us a wonderful gift in the person of Daniel "Danny" Ellington. 

Mary Byrd-Ervin (click here)

Bettie Etheridge (January 23, 1920 - September 5, 2004)

Estelle Ewell (October 29, 1914 - December 10, 2003)

Estelle Ewell was born October 29, 1914 to Matthew and Emma Nolan in Beaufort, North Carolina.  She accepted Christ at an early age.  She graduated from Queen Street High School in Beaufort, North Carolina.  She met and married James H. Smith, who preceded her in death.  To this union one son James was born.  She moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1934.  She later remarried Alonzo Ewell, who also preceded her in death. Estelle pursued a career as a health care provider.  She was employed at the Margaret Wagner House (Benjamin-Rose) for many years, along with providing home health care services.  Estelle was a people person and seemed to get inspiration from being with people and helping them anyway she could.  It was once said that it was hard to follow behind her because of the love, attention and dedication she would show towards her patients.  Estelle was a faithful and dedicated Christian woman, who loved her church.  Estelle was a member of Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio.  She was instrumental in rearing the children of Pastor Henry J. Payden, Sr. in the parsonage of Greater Abyssinia.  Mrs. Ewell was a charter member of Holy Trinity Baptist Church.  She was a member of the first choir of Holy Trinity Baptist Church and also an active member of the Missions Auxiliary, until her health no longer allowed her to participate.  She served as leader of the Dorcas Circle.  She was also in charge of the Culinary Auxiliary, helping to put together the Me, Mine and Yours Cookbook.  Estelle was willing to help whenever she was needed.  She departed this life on December 10, 2003.  Leaving blessed memories, is her son James (Gail), grandchildren Steve, Alford (Norma), James Jr. (Eleanor), Theresa, Estelle, Ronnie (Kathy), Damon (Donna), Kim (Damon), Vincent (Angela), Billie and Ashley.  A host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a very special caregiver, Jean.  Special thanks to Robert Holmes, Carrie, Ms. Wells, Mrs. Stewart, Gwen and Arlene for you love and support.