Mildred Eddings

Mother Mildred Eddings transitioned into glory on September 7, 2033. Mildred, the eldest daughter of Luther and Rebecca Lee was born in Keo, Arkansas, on May 30, 1929. The Lee family moved to Yuma, Arizona where Mildred was educated in the Yuma school system.

In June 1947, Mildred married William Eddings Sr and began a life of a loving supportive wife and nurturing encouraging mother.

Mildred was one of the founding members of First Pentecostal Church and remained a faithful member for the next 75 years. Among her many contributions to First Pentecostal Church was Sunday School teacher, a member of the Usher Board, cook for activities held at First Pentecostal as Mountain States Council sessions, Fellowship meetings and so many other events in support of her church that are too numerous to list.

Mother Mildred was also a founding member of the Mountain States Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. She was responsible for the first set of minutes taken at that very first council held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She and her husband attended national conventions of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World for many years and from coast to coast. Because of her many years of service to First Pentecostal Church and the Mountain States Council, she was recognized as Pentecostal Pearl, one of the church’s highest honors for lay women, by the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, one of the largest “Oneness Pentecostal” denominations in the world. (source Wikipedia).

In 1956, Mother Mildred moved with her family to Casa Grande, AZ. Because of her dedication to her God and her church, she, and her husband William, commuted to First Pentecostal Church for more than half a century. Her regular attendance was interrupted first by Covid then health issues.

As mentioned earlier, Mother Mildred was a loving mother. She supported her children and was active in their growth. She helped provide them with the opportunities to grow spiritually, physically, emotionally, and educationally. She was by nature a person to nurture others.

As her children graduated from high school, she became even more active and involved in her local community. She founded a Girl Scout troop for African American girls, was a founding member of the Utopian Club which was a local African American women’s group dedicated funding scholarships for underserved students to pursue educational opportunities beyond high school. She purchased sweatshirts and shoes for school children, provided funds to students on free or reduced lunch so they could eat from the “regular” cafeteria menu rather than peanut butter sandwiches.

She carried less fortunate women to doctor’s appointments, beauty shop etc.

Mother Mildred’s love for her God, her family, her church, her community was authentic and never pretentious. For more than ninety years, she was a dutiful daughter, a caring sister, a loving wife and mother and faithful follower of God! Her life was guided by one of her favorite scriptures “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 KJV.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Sr.; her parents Luther and Rebecca Lee; brothers Robert, Henry, Clarence and sisters Addie May Tomlin and Dorothy Jones; daughter Patricia Eddings, grandchildren Jessica Andrews and Phillip Eddings

She is survived by Bill, Vernon, Michael and Garlin Eddings, Dr. Dene Andrews, Courtney Eddings, Roth Eddings, brothers Jewel and David Lee, three great-grandchildren; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mother Mildred Eddings has transitioned into glory. She was an inspiration to many who knew her. She may be gone, but not forgotten.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavencarrtenney.com for the Eddings family.