Millard Eidson knew how to make history come alive. He passed down stories of his childhood to younger generations, documented the history of his longtime church and painted landscapes from his youth. But his faith-filled life told the real story.
Millard Eidson was born Sept. 17, 1914 in the Star Point community near Glenloch. He graduated from Centralhatchee High School in 1933 and went to work at the blanket mill in Arnco. He married the love of his life, the late Grace Maurine Watson Eidson, in 1934. They were married for 69 years and had four children.
According to his youngest son, Mike Eidson of Carrollton, his father grew up on the family farm in Glenloch and loved to tell stories about his upbringing.
While Eidson’s early years were challenging, he never let his circumstances make him bitter. According to his daughter, Jo Croom of Union City, Millard Eidson’s father was killed when Millard was barely into his teens. He and one of his older brothers were raised by their mother. “He was from a poor family, but he did not live a deprived life,” his daughter said.
Millard Houston Eidson, a longtime resident of the Glenloch community in Heard County, died Nov. 19 of natural causes at the Hospice Center of Southwest Christian Care in Union City. He was 98. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Saturday, Nov. 24, at Glenloch Baptist Church. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
A strong man of faith, Millard Eidson served as a deacon for more than 60 years at Glenloch Baptist Church, where he also served as an adult Sunday School teacher. He cherished his church family. He also wrote a history of his church. For many years, his son said, Eidson would ring the church bell every Sunday morning.
His daughter recalled that one of the fondest memories her parents shared was a trip to the Holy Land to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 1984. “Seeing Jerusalem was the highlight of their special trip,” said his son. His daughter said, “He would always say that the trip made the Bible come alive for him, to be able to see the places that Jesus walked.”
Age never kept Millard Eidson from trying new things or from living a full life. He drove his own car until a few years ago, and he took up painting in his 80s. “There was a couple at his church that wanted to start a painting class and needed two more people to have the class,” his son Mike said. “So, my parents joined, and my father was painting up until he died.” He had an art studio at his home. When he moved to The Oaks of Carrollton Assisted Living facility, the facility donated space for him to have his own studio there. His son said painting “gave him some purpose and something to do.” Eidson liked to paint landscape scenes and replicas of mills that he remembered from his youth.
“I spent every Saturday morning with him for the last several years,” said his son, who would take his father to the family farm and run errands with him. “He would always think he was imposing, but it was always a joy being with him. He had an incredible memory, and his mind never dimmed with age.”
In addition to his daughter and son, he is survived by sons, Steve Eidson of Sarasota, Fla. and Larry Eidson of Johns Creek; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
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