Donna Burke Eddins

Donna Burke Eddins, 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. She was a resident of West Shores Retirement Center in Hot Springs. She was born to A.D. and Betty Mitchell Burke on July 16, 1930, in Clarendon, Ark., later moving to Stuttgart where she was raised. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Holly Eddins Smith; her husband of 64 years, Howard C. Eddins; brothers, Claude D. Burke and Col. (Ret.) Lloyd L. Burke; and sister, Dorothy R. Burke. She was a graduate of Stuttgart High School where she was cheerleader and participated in the band. Her business career started in the insurance business with her receiving her license and being employed by Shields-Horst & Company. She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she did volunteer work and later served on the parsonage committee. She was also a Girl Scout troop leader. Donna later went to work with Howard at Eddins Sales Service where they manufactured grain carts until retirement. At that time, they moved to Hot Springs to be on Lake Hamilton which they both loved. They became members of FUMC of Hot Springs and also the Friendship Sunday School Class. She was a very avid golfer and also a member of Women's Welcome Club where she served as president, and the "Night Cappers". She is survived by daughters, Diane and David Relyea of Almyra and Tracy and Steve Zimmer of Bonnerdale; grandsons, Heath and Angel Relyea and Mark and Ashley Relyea of Almyra; step-grandson, Brian and Randi Smith of Little Rock; five great-grandchildren, Sidney Relyea, Harlie Relyea, Christan Relyea, Ty Relyea and Kirklynn Relyea; one sister, Betty Lorince of Stuttgart; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to say a special thank you to Nina Alter and the staff of West Shores and Sandra Reynolds with Arkansas Hospice. Special thanks to caregivers, Lola Sanchez and Peggy Underwood. Services will be Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Turpin Funeral Home with visitation from 1-2 p.m. and the service at 2 p.m. Her family requests memorials be made to the donor's choice. Please go to www.turpin-co.com to sign the online guestbook.