Drewryville – Eddie Avent Partridge, 61, longtime Southampton County farmer and military veteran with a deep love of the land and his country, passed away April 1, 2009 at his residence. He was born in Roanoke Rapids, NC, son of the late Allen Murfee and Mildred Garner Partridge. Eddie was an Army veteran who proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Boykins Baptist Church, and prior to this membership served as a deacon at Hebron Baptist Church. He was also a member of Little Texas Hunt Club and found great fellowship there among his friends and family. His love of the land extended beyond his occupation, and one of his favorite hobbies was spending time in the garden that he loved to share.
Eddie loved his family unconditionally and had recently retired in order to spend more time with his two grandchildren. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 34 years, Nancy Edwards Partridge; one daughter, Jessica P. Johnson and her husband, Jeremy, of Pinnacle, NC; one son, Mark Allen Partridge of Tallahassee, FL; two grandchildren, Banks Avent Johnson and Sailor Blake Johnson; one sister, Sarah P. Savedge and husband, Buddy, of Wakefield; one brother, William A. Partridge and wife, Sandra, of Drewryville; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Horace and Jessie Edwards of Branchville; brother-in-law, Kenny Edwards and wife, Koren, of Branchville, one nephew David S. "Scooter" Russell, III; and eight nieces: Michele Reedy, Monica Flickinger, Kim Russell, Jennifer Barnum, Kelly Russell, Tavia Cavallaro, Emily Brown and Meredith Holt.
A memorial service, with military honors, will be conducted at 2 pm Saturday at Boykins Baptist Church with the Rev. Raymond Bunn officiating. The family will host a reception immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Boykins Baptist Church, P. O. Box 316, Boykins, Va. 23827, or Drewryville Fire Department, P. O. Box 125, Drewryville, VA. 23844. As a living memorial, Eddie would say you should always remember to vote.
Wright Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.wrightfuneralhome.org