Elaine Eighmie

CLAXTON: Mrs. Elaine Burkhalter Eighmie, 93, died on Aug 6, 2020 in Savannah. While her love for teaching began at Black Creek Grammar School in Bryan County, it continued for 37 years beyond that. The joy of learning was with her throughout her life. She graduated from Bessie Tift College, Georgia Teacher’s College (now known as GSU), and Florida Atlantic University, earning a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees. Her strong faith was a firm foundation, passed down from her parents, Eva Durrence Burkhalter and H.D. Burkhalter of Claxton, and shared to varying degrees among three siblings, most notably her best friend and sister, the late Mary Helmuth. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Claxton. A personal affirmation she often shared was that “with God, all things are possible.” God welcomed her home on the 130th birthday of her father, whom she loved dearly. Elaine was married first to Hamp Gardner of Blitchton until his death in 1982 and then to Dorland Eighmie of NY until his death in 1994. She told stories from both relationships that brought lots of laughter, smiles and even a few raised eyebrows from all who heard them. Elaine enjoyed gardening, restoring houses and traveling the world long before HGTV existed. American historian Henry Adams once said: “a teacher influences all eternity” and many lives are better because of Elaine’s consistently positive, sensible and loving influence.
Continuing on in this life is a daughter, Jenny Gardner of FL, grandson, Joseph Gardner (Robyn) and 2 great grandchildren (Sawyer, Canon) of FL, step-son, Bob Eighmie of FL, and niece, Judy Burkhalter Anderson of NM.
Burial was in the Antioch Cemetery near Daisy, where she was born. Remembrances can be made to Antioch Baptist Cemetery, 1482 Deer Run Cr., Claxton, GA., 30417 or First Baptist Church of Claxton, P. O. Box 607, Claxton, GA., 30417.

J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.