Dr. Mary H. Eady

Dr. Mary Haywood Eady, 75, transitioned from her earthly body to be present with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 27, 2014 in Norfolk, VA. Her passing leaves a missing link in the love chain of her beloved husband and cherished daughters. Born to the late Lacey Haywood and Pastor Odessa Currie Haywood on Friday, August 5, 1938 in Lumberton, NC, she accepted Jesus Christ into her life at a very early age and remained His faithful servant throughout her life. God blessed her with many gifts and talents, such as her beautiful soprano voice, playing the piano/keyboards/organ, ministering, mentoring, and counseling others. Dr. Eady was a faithful and dedicated member of two local churches, New Light Baptist Church (NLBC) in Chesapeake and St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church (SMMBC) in Portsmouth. She joined NLBC in 1970 and served as Chair of the Deaconess Board, coordinator of African-American history events, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, founder of Puppetry Ministry, editor of the church newsletter and coordinator of the evening tutorial programs. In addition, she was a youth minister and a licensed missionary. She also sang in the Gospel and Senior Choirs, served on Christian Board of Education, and she helped form and directed the “Sunshine Choir” (now known as the Young Voices of Praise). She was a visionary for the Pulpit Ministry and worked in various other ministries. It was there where she followed in the footsteps of her mother by becoming a licensed and ordained minister on December 27, 1998. She would later join St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church (SMMBC) in 2002 and again dedicate her service to others as an Associate Elder, member of the Christian Board of Education, founder and director of the Puppet Ministry, and volunteer musician for the St. Mark Christian Academy. As a 1966 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, Dr. Eady had great “Aggie Pride” where she earned her Bachelor of Science in History and English. As a student at NC A&T, she met a tall, handsome engineering student, Samuel Eady, who became her life partner and best friend. Sam and Mary met in 1958, married in 1960, and were inseparable until her passing. While students at NC A&T, they both participated in the Civil Rights Movement, including the Greensboro Woolworth Lunch Counter Sit-Ins and protest marches. In 1971, she earned her Masters degree from Old Dominion University as a Reading/Education Specialist. Both she and her husband later earned a Bachelor of Theology and a Master in Divinity from Richmond Virginia Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Beacon University. Dr. Eady began her teaching career while a student in college by serving as a principal for the summer school at Hayes Taylor YWCA in Greensboro, NC. She has taught in the Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Chesapeake Public School Systems. She served as a sponsor and mentor for various student organizations and programs. While at Indian River High School, she sponsored the “Delta Dolls” club and directed the African American History month programs. After 32 years of teaching, she retired in 1998 as a Reading Resource Specialist from Indian River Senior High School in Chesapeake, VA. She was well loved and respected by her students and coworkers who regularly showered her with gifts and cards even after retirement. In addition to her educational involvement, Dr. Eady was a member of the Tidewater Chapter of N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University Alumni Association, Inc., Chesapeake Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Hampton Minister’s Conference, the Interdenominational Minister’s Wives and Widows Alliance of Tidewater, Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers’ Conference, and Old Dominion General Baptist Association (ODGBA). She served as the Education Coordinator for the Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers’ Conference, and Scholarship Committee Chairperson of the ODGBA. She also served as an adjunct professor at Norfolk State University and Tidewater Community College. She loved working as a volunteer with various organizations in the community such as Genesis Eyecare, Carrington Place Nursing Home, Sentara Village Nursing Home, Friends of Hampton Roads Inc., and Upward Bound. Aside from the many activities in which Dr. Eady was involved, she loved to travel with her family, friends, and church members. The highlight trip of her lifetime was to Israel, where she was baptized in the Jordan River and sang a solo in the Chapel at the birthplace of Jesus! She leaves to cherish her memory, her best friend and beloved husband of 54 years, Dr. Samuel Eady; two lovely daughters, Dr. Tonya D. Eady (Chesapeake, VA) and Judge Karen Eady-Williams (Charlotte, NC); an adored son-in-law Darrel J. Williams, Sr.; and a treasured sister, Geneva Haywood Clark (Hyattsville, MD). She also leaves behind her loving nieces Jacque Clark, Vickie Clark, Beverly Clark Huckaby, and Jennifer Eady. And she had one nephew, Patrick Clark. Her special god-children include Janelle Crump, Iris Graves Elam, Carissa Graves Henry, Tavis Graves, Cory Taylor, Whitney Boyd Diene, and Christopher Jackson. She leaves a host of other great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, students, church members, and community members, who will sorely miss her earthly presence.

Dr. Mary H. Eady

August 5, 1938 - April 27, 2014