Patricia (DeLong) Eakin

Patricia (DeLong) Eakin, 92, passed away on Wednesday, October 15th, at Autumn Care Nursing Home in Altavista, VA. 

Born on January 27, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Edna DeLong. Patricia was a Franklin resident most of her life. She attended Heister School, a one-room school in Mineral Township until 9th grade when she transferred to Franklin High.

Mrs. Eakin enjoyed participating in plays and productions throughout her school years and later with Franklin's "Little Theatre Group" in their first performance in 1958. She had fond memories of her years as a member/president of "Jr. Women's Club" and "Teachers Wives Club". 

Pat was an active member of Franklin First Baptist Church where she served on most every board and committee during her 68 years there. Patricia was very devoted to her faith and was most passionate about teaching children about Jesus. She had multiple roles as Sunday School and Jr. Church teacher, youth leader, AWANA volunteer (into her eighties), and instructor in after-school programs.

Mrs. Eakin was a homemaker and also held various jobs in her beloved town of Franklin. She was gifted in secretarial and accounting skills, and upon graduation from high school, her first job was secretary to the general manager of Amalie Refinery where she initiated their newsletter, "The Amalie Post". After starting a family, Patricia also worked as a bank teller at First National and Venango Federal, as secretary for Cenbak, Inc., and later worked as secretary then agent in the Biery and Prather Insurance Offices.

Patricia married Wayne Eakin on November 22nd, 1952, and they spent 50 years together until his death in 2003. 

Surviving are their three children: Dr. Stephen Eakin and wife, Mary, of Altavista, VA; Shelley Bell and her husband, Frank, of New Wilmington; and Stan Eakin of Franklin. Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Nathan (Lauren) Bell; Bradford Eakin; Natalie (Cory) Angell; Maria (Jacob) Wyatt; Matthew (Alexis) Eakin; Ryan Bell; Casey (Burak) Aydin; Crosby (Erik) Record; and Marley Eakin. In recent years, Patricia took special delight in her 10 great grandchildren: Harper, Joshua, and Bryson Eakin; Hayden, Kolbie, and Tate Angell; Luca, Liam, and Asa Wyatt; and Thalia Orsine. Patricia is also survived by her in-laws, Jane Barnes and Robert and Carol Eakin along with many, much-loved nephews and nieces.

Mrs. Eakin was preceded in death by her parents and by her siblings and their spouses: Lorraine (Herb) Warham; June DeLong; Basil (Dona) DeLong; and Richard (June) DeLong along with an infant granddaughter, Kara Bell. Her parents in-law, Elmer and Edith Eakin, also preceded her in death as did sibling in-laws and spouses: James Eakin; Lucille (Eugene) Hoovler; Harry (Barbara) Eakin; Lawrence (Adah) Eakin; Arthur Barnes; and Mary (Frank) Murdock.

Family and friends are welcome on Friday, November 7th from 5:00 - 7:00  pm at Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home, 312 W. Park St, Franklin, PA and from 11:00 A.M. until Noon on Saturday November 8th, at  Franklin First Baptist Church, 1041 Liberty St, Franklin, PA, where the funeral service will follow at Noon in the church. 

Interment will be in Graham Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Franklin First Baptist Church, 1041 Liberty St., Franklin, PA 16323.

Mrs. Eakin's family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Care of Altavista for the loving care provided to Patricia over the years.

Online condolences may be sent to her family by visiting huffguthrie.com.