Deaconess Russlean Eaddy

Russlean Eaddy was born on March 29th, 1934 (according to her mother) in Lake City, South Carolina to the late Hazard and Mettie Rue Cameron. Her Birth Certificate says she was born on March 24th, 1934. She slipped away quietly on January 9th, 2020 at her home.

Russlean received her early education in Lake City, graduating from Lake City Colored High School in 1952. She was very athletic, and was a star basketball player. Being from the rural South, she worked in the tobacco fields, stringing tobacco and she picked cotton and whatever else was in the field.

After graduating High School, she followed her cousin to Brooklyn, New York to see some big city life. She began working at Star Overall Textiles.
Her stay in New York wasn't that long, because her High School sweetheart missed her. They say "absence makes the heart grow fonder," David Eaddy went to Brooklyn, proposed and moved his Fiance to Wilmington, Delaware. They were married, December 27th, 1956. They were Blessed with three children, David Carroll (who died at birth) Arlene & David Jr.
Russlean joined Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1960, where she remained a Faithful and dedicated member until her illness. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, BTU Scholar, she sang in the Young Adult Choir, Johnson Inspirational Choir & Mass Choir. She served in Lady of Grace ministry, The Nurses' Unit and Deaconess, where she served as Vice-President for several years. She served as Womens Day Chairperson twice.

One of her greatest joys was when she was the Director/Overseer of the EBC Youth Choir. She served over the youth for close to ten years. Under her direction, the youth sang all over New Castle County and the surrounding areas. She loved her children!

For many years, she worked as a Nurse's Aide at Memorial Hospital, Methodist Country House, and Daybreak Nursing Home.

Her love for children made her open up a daycare in her home. The Eaddy Home Daycare remained opened for 34 years. She took care of many, many children. She cared for family, neighbors, church kids, strangers, and children of her children. Some kids went home at the close of business and some stayed for days at a time. Her daycare kids were fed daily like it was Sunday dinner and so were their parents. Some came through the back door so they could sit right down at the table to eat before they got to their children.

Russlean LOVED her family. There were a lot of family members born in March, so instead of having a Birthday party for herself, she would host a big Birthday Bash for all the family. The house would be packed and she was Happy as can be!

Russlean loved to shop, Strawbridge's/Macy's was her favorite Friday evening place to be. She loved big hats and matching shoes and bags. Until this day, there are suits with tags ready for any occasion, including this one.

Russlean was proceeded in death by her parents, Hazard & Mettie Rue Cameron, sisters; Edna Myra Cameron, Ella Tyra Cameron, Hester Cameron, brothers; Jerome & James Norman Cameron. Her son, David Carroll; granddaughter, Monique Beard, and great-grandson, Ahmir Harrigan.
Russlean leaves to cherish her memories, her BELOVED, DEDICATED & DEVOTED husband of 63 years, David Eaddy, Sr. Her two children; Arlene Eaddy Beard & David Eaddy Jr. (Sarah). Two siblings, Devoted Sister, Frances M. Cooper and Brother, Hazard Cameron, Jr. (Eddie Mae). Six grandchildren, Janai, Ciera (Kurtis), Monet, Alyssa (Shareef), Dominique & Malik. Nine great-grandchildren; Maurkel, Maurice, Maurshon, Ahmira, Kevin, Kaila, Sahmir, Ahmad & Aston. Godchildren, Karin Jefferson, David A. Ware, Jr. Judy Ross Brinkley, Teria Ross Beasley, & Kenneth Brown, Jr. A devoted Son-in Law, Steven Beard, 6 Brother-in-laws, 2 Sister-laws & a host of nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.