Nina Eaddy

Nina Ree Eaddy was born January 14, 1921 in Myrtle Beach, SC to the parents of the late Samuel Chestnut, and Sadie Bell Finkley. Sadie died when she was 5 years old and her father remarried the late Bertha Carter, who raised her and taught her the values she displayed as an adult.

Prior to 1933 there were no schools for people of color in Myrtle Beach, SC and the children attended school at two Churches. The first through third grade attended Sandy Grove Baptist Church, and Fourth and up went to Mount Olive AME Methodist Church. When Nina started Seventh grade, the Myrtle Beach Colored School was open and there she attended seventh and eighth grade. After eighth grade the students were supposed to attend High School in Conway, SC to complete their education. However, o Transportation was not made available and Nina’s parents could not afford to pay someone room and board. Reverend Stackhouse took it upon himself to teach her and three other students the classes they needed to graduate. Nina was Valedictorian of the class and was also one of the first students to attend the Myrtle Beach Colored School.  She was a member of the Historic Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum and Education Center.

She accepted God at an early age and at age 16 she was a junior Missionary of the Kingston Lake Auxiliary and did the welcome address for the junior Missionaries at the Women’s Baptist Missionary Convention. She was a member of the Sandy Grove Baptist Church for many years. At the age of 20, she married the late Lee Grant Eaddy. They lived in California for several years and Nina’s job while there was working on airplanes. Later in life, Nina had three children.

In October 1956, Nina moved to New York City. She was employed as a housekeeper for a family of five. She worked as a housekeeper for eight years and was then hired by the Department of Social Services in 1967. Her tenure as Homemaker/Housekeeper with the Homemakers Division of the Department of Social Services was one of dedication and hard work. She loved to help others help themselves, and she gave of herself with untiring zeal and effort. She retired from the Department of Social Services in July 1982.

Nina joined St. James Baptist Church after moving to New York.  She was later a member of New Mount Carmel Baptist Church and the Brownsville Community Baptist Church. Nina graduated from Evangelism school and was a licensed Evangelist.

After retiring, Nina joined the Van Dyke II Senior Center. She was involved in several committees while there and in January 1987, she ran and was elected and installed as President of the Center. She served devotedly and was reelected for the 1988 term. She lobbied in Albany many times for the Senior Citizen concerns and issues. Due to, her dedication and concerns about the needs of Seniors, she was elected in 1988 to the Area Policy Board # 16, and held that position for four years.  Nina received many certificates and awards for her service.

Nina loved to travel, and traveled extensively. The neighbors would say “if we don’t see you going, we see you coming back.” In 1996, Nina moved back to Myrtle Beach, SC and rejoined Sandy Grove Baptist Church. After moving to Myrtle Beach, Nina kept herself busy by working at the Bowens Day Care, Pavilion Amusement Park. She became a member of The Rose Bud Tent Group, The RacePath Community Center, and lobbied for the RacePath Community. She also continued to travel until she could no longer do so.

Nina was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Grant Eaddy, Three brothers; Lewis Spivey, George Chestnut, and Samuel Coolidge Chestnut, Six sisters, Bernice Watson, Catherine Richardson, Ethel Mae Dennison, Cora Wilson, Inez Holmes, and Dorothy Chestnut.  She leaves to cherish her memory two precious Daughters; Millicent Wright (Sylvester), of Brooklyn New York, Deborah Warren (Joseph) of Mebane North Carolina, and One Son Charles Eaddy, (Rochelle) of Queens, New York. Three brothers, Woodrow Chestnut (Betty) and Elijah Chestnut (Joanne) of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Jesse Chestnut of Troy, New York. Three sisters, Carrie Cole of Miami, Fl, Elizabeth Goings, and Bessie Rush (Leroy) of Myrtle Beach, SC. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, one special granddaughter MERCEL WRIGHT who took care of her for the last six years of her life, nine great grands, one special great granddaughter, little Ms. SERENITY WRIGHT, our little helper,  two great great grands, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, Church family, and friends. Also, a special Niece CAROLYN HEMINGWAY who also helped the family take care of her, and a special friend from childhood MRS. FLORIE CUTTNIO.

Nina has finished the race, kept the Faith, and now has gotten her wings. She now has a new House, to call her Home

Sleep well our Queen, enjoy your rest the family is getting ourselves ready so that we will see you again one day.

Nina Eaddy of Myrtle Beach passed July 29, 2020. There will be a private graveside service on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Ocean Woods Cemetery in Myrtle Beach. Ocean View Funeral Home Myrtle Beach Chapel is in charge of arrangments. 

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