Mrs. Milbrey Eakin

Obituary for Milbrey Eakin Milbrey Eakin, age 83, a life-long resident of Shelbyville, Tennessee, died with peace surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at Heritage Medical Center. She was born on August 28, 1930 at Spring Hill, the family farm in Shelbyville, where she lived until moving to the Carriage House Inn five years ago. She was the youngest child of the late James Deery Eakin, Sr. and Cary Meade Allmond Eakin and the last surviving member of her generation. Her siblings were Cary Ewing Eakin Alexander, Virginia Meade Eakin Williams, James Deery Eakin, Jr., Rowena Eakin Hart, and Evelyn Eakin Bagley. Milbrey was a graduate of Shelbyville Central High School. She began her career as the first dietitian at “the new” Bedford County General Hospital in the early 1950s. Later, she worked at Central Elementary School Cafeteria and in the dietary department at Glen Oaks Health and Rehabilitation. For many years, she was an assistant in the first-aid station on the show grounds during the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. She had a “servant’s heart” and found her true calling as a caregiver to all ages, most especially infants, young children and the elderly. One’s relationship to Milbrey was defined by what you called her: Milbrey, “Milt”, “M”, Mil-Mil, Miss Milbrey or Miss Eakin. Many families in Shelbyville and Fayetteville were blessed with the nurture and guidance she gave their young children or the tender care and love she provided their elderly family members. Even with her move to Carriage House Inn, she continued finding ways to bring sunshine, joy, laughter, and comfort to her new friends, their families, and the staff. Milbrey loved flowers and was an accomplished gardener, taking her skills with her when she moved to Carriage House Inn. She planted and cared for flowers in the courtyard as well as the orchids and African violets on the corridor windowsills. Milbrey is survived by 15 nephews and nieces: Cary Meade Alexander Hobgood (Chris) of Ocean Pines, MD, Helen Gaines Alexander Sexton (Jimmy) of Williamsburg, VA, Armand Banks Alexander (Mary) of The Villages, FL, James Deery (Jim) Eakin, III, Margaret Eakin and Milbrey Ione (Missy) Eakin, all of Shelbyville, TN, Katherine Meade Eakin of Birmingham, AL, Susan Hart Reed (David) of Elizabethtown, KY, William Guy Hart, Jr. (Shirley) of Frankfort, KY, Emily Allmond Hart Smith (Jimmy) of Vine Grove, KY, Ewing Hart (Mary Beth) and Ward Hart (Pam) of Stanford, KY, Samuel Scott Bagley (Sandra) of Bay St. Louis, MS, David Eakin Bagley (Cyndi) and Cary Ellen Bagley Sullivan (Dexter) of Fayetteville, TN She is also survived by 28 great-nephews and nieces, 25 great-great nephews and nieces, one great-great-great niece and one great-great- great nephew, plus numerous “children” she raised. Milbrey was a life-long member of First Christian Church. Visitation will be held there at 12 noon on Saturday, February 15. A funeral service will follow at 2 PM. Rev. Tom Bierovic will officiate. Burial will follow at the Cowan-Eakin Cemetery. A special memorial service will be held for the residents and staff at the Carriage House Inn on Friday. In addition to her nephews, pallbearers will include Charles Armstrong, Jason Armstrong, David Caldwell, Riley T. (Sonny) Coop, and Pat Marsh. Memorials may be made in honor of Harper Eakin Bagley to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or First Christian Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 466, Shelbyville, TN 37160, or the charity of your choice. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Carriage House Inn for their love, devotion, and care to Miss Milbrey and to the Critical Care Unit staff at Heritage Medical Center during her final days.

Mrs. Milbrey Eakin

August 28, 1930 - February 11, 2014