Coy Eakins

Coy Eakins, 88, formerly of Burfordville, passed away peacefully Monday, May 16, 2011, at his daughter's home in Jackson, where he had lived the past seven years.

He was born Sept. 29, 1922, in Burfordville to Erm and Pansy Howard Eakins. After knowing each other only four months, Coy and Mary Virginia Moreland eloped Nov. 24, 1948, and would have been married 63 years this fall.

They raised their family in the Des Peres/Kirkwood, Mo., area. Coy worked more than 40 years for Bi State Transit in St. Louis, retiring in 1984. He was a member of Local Union 788 in St. Louis. They relocated to Eureka, Mo., in 1978 and to Burfordville in 1990. He was of the Baptist belief.

"Pa" will be remembered as someone who loved to joke around and had a great sense of humor. In years past he would sit on the gossip bench at the Burfordville post office with his childhood buddies, chatting for hours.

Many considered him a historian of the Burfordville Bridge and Bollinger Mill. He enjoyed playing checkers, taking long drives in the country, watching Ma and Pa Kettle movies and never turned away from a piece of pumpkin pie. He will be sadly missed by many, including his dogs, Lady and Kitty.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of Jackson; a son, Michael (Linda Lee) Eakins of Delta; two daughters, Judy Bean of Manchester, Mo., Linda Eakins of Jackson; a brother, L.T. (Mary Lou) Eakins of Jackson; two brothers-in-law, Wayne Myers of O'Fallon, Mo., Paul Dean Clardy of Jackson; three grandchildren, Linda Sue and Bobby Bean of Manchester, Kristy (Terry) Gower of Spring Lake, N.C.; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mabel Clardy and Gertrude Myers; and a beloved son-in-law, Roy Bean.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating.

Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Bean, Paul Dean Clardy, Clayton Davis, Tony Hammes, Leonard Hess and Bob Sherrill.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be given to Jackson Senior Center/Meals on Wheels.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.