Obituary of Robert Eddins, Jr.

Robert Eddins, Jr., 86, of Merrimac departed this life on Friday, July 16th. at the Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport. He was the husband of Ferbynell (Taylor) Eddins with whom he shared fifty-two years of marriage. Born in Augusta County, VA he was the son of the late Robert and Etta (Conway) Eddins. Robert was the ninth of fourteen children and attended the Round Hill School in New Hope, VA. As a young man, Robert worked at DuPont and as a cook at the General Wayne Hotel. In 1943 he joined the United States Air Force 15th Airborne Parachute Division. There he was a Staff Sergeant and trained to be an executive chef. Upon his honorable discharge he began his career as a chef working at several restaurants in Virginia and then in Massachusetts. For 31 years he was employed by Howard Johnson's and most recently as a chef at the Village Green in Danvers until his retirement in 2007. Mr. Eddins was a volunteer at the Essex County Sheriff's office, a member of the VFW, loved to garden and in his younger days enjoyed fishing and hunting. He also loved to spend time with his dog Susie ("his little girl"). Besides his wife, Mr. Eddins is survived by his daughters and son-in-law Bishop Shakyra and Richard Palmer of PA, Gloria J. Harris of Lynn, three step-sons and their spouses Richard and Catherine Simmons of Merrimac, Keith and Deborah Simmons of VA and Donald Simmons of TX, three brothers Harry Lee of VA, Billy of Washington D.C. and Jerry of Dorchester, three sisters Dorothy Volenus of PA, Carrie Moxley of Jamacia Plain, and Mable and Maurice Alves of Mattapan. He also leaves three grandchildren. Mr. Eddins was pre-deceased by his first wife, Geneva L (Brooks) Eddins, a son and daughter, Earl Eddins and Dorothea Barron of VA. His service will be held Tuesday morning at 11AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9 to 11 AM to which relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will follow at the Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody.