Earnest Donald "Don" Eads

Rev. Earnest Donald "Don" Eads – 76
Of Valdosta, passed away very early Monday morning, October 5, 2015 after a long journey with Alzheimer's Disease.
Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on April 18, 1939, he was the youngest of six boys born to the late Luther Barnett Eads and Minnie Ruby Parker Eads. A graduate of Belmont University, Don taught choral music in Atlanta public schools prior to his ordination into full-time ministry. Along with his late wife, Carol Bryant Eads, this loving man with a big voice and incredible smile served churches in Georgia and South Carolina for over 30 years in music ministry before becoming house parents with the Georgia Baptist Children's Home. Together they ministered to nearly a generation of children at the Palmetto Campus.
Don and Carol made a great team, turning their cottage into a loving, stable home, and a showplace inside and out. Don formed and led a handbell choir for the children, which played at campus events, church events, and for former President Carter at his church in Plains. A true "people" person with a servant heart, Don received the Lyman Pincus Award in recognition of his dedicated service to the Children's Home. He loved to cheer on his beloved Crimson Tide, make music with his family and friends, and spend time with his grandchildren-- both his own and those dozens he claimed as his own from the Children's Home. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Quitman.
In addition to his wife and parents, Don was preceded in death by four brothers, Phillip Eads, Morris Eads, Gene Eads, and Bobby Eads; and his sister-in-law, Tommie Jean Eads.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Andy Daughtry of Thomasville, GA; four grandchildren, Clay, Seth, Josh and Caroline Daughtry, all of Thomasville; his brother, Eldridge Eads of Monterey, TN; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan and Bill Webb of Albany, GA; his sister-in-law, Wynette Bryant of Clarkston, GA; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Barry and Marcia Bryant of Calhoun, GA; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 10:30 am at the First Baptist Church of Quitman. Private family graveside services will be held. Floral tributes will be accepted or memorials are encouraged to the Georgia Baptist Children's Home and Family Ministries, Inc. GBCHFM or the Alzheimer's Association. Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com . Music Funeral Services of Valdosta is serving the Eads family.