Gilbert M. Eddins

Gilbert M. Eddins, age 90, a long-time resident of West Hartford, died Jan. 18, 2011. Mr. Eddins was born in Pine Bluff, Ark. on Sept. 22, 1920 to William Barkley Eddins, Sr. and Annie Martin Eddins. After attending the local schools, he served during World War II in the United States Army and was based in India where he provided support to airborne operations in China. After leaving the army he married Lynn (Allen) Eddins in 1947, to whom he was married for 58 years before her death in 2005. Mr. Eddins worked as an auditor for the Hartford Insurance Company for 39 years before retiring in 1985 as assistant secretary. Mr. and Mrs. Eddins were long-time members of Asylum Hill Congregational Church. They greatly enjoyed traveling and particularly cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaii. Mr. Eddins is survived by two beloved children, Laura Eddins of West Hartford and Larry Eddins of Bristol. Mr. Eddins also is survived by his sister, Ann Eddins Nance Ryland, of Indian Trail, N.C. His brother, William Barkley Eddins Jr., of Pine Bluff, Ark. predeceased him. Mr. Eddins is also survived by his nephews Warren Nance, Bill Eddins, and Kirk Eddins, and his nieces Jane Eddins Stone and Dell Eddins Watkins. Mr. Eddins was a true southern gentleman: always courteous, always gracious, and always good humored, no matter the circumstances. In his later years, Mr. Eddins greatly appreciated the support provided by his children, his special friends Denton and Joan Hopper, Linda Soucy, and his caregiver Desean "Felix" Nyarko. A memorial service will be held at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut, 06105, on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Asylum Hill Congregational Church.