Christine Holder "Nana" Eakes

Christine Holder “Nana” Eakes, 86 of Durham passed away Sunday April 21, 2024, at Treyburn Nursing and Rehab Center.

Christine was born in Durham on August 21, 1937 to the late John Wesley Holder, Sr. and Lillie Fletcher Holder. “Nana”, as she was affectionately called, lived in Durham all of her life. 

One of thirteen children, Nana grew up alongside her brothers and sisters raising tobacco on the family farm on Holder Road. On December 26, 1953 Nana married Cecil Delano Eakes. They were married for 52 years. Nana was a devoted housewife and mother, raising four children. She collected angels, and she liked flowers and Big Red chewing gum. She loved music, especially the old hymns. She was the best Nana! She enjoyed babysitting and helping to raise her grandkids. She played with them and taught them songs, and always brought them sweets. She took great pride in the activities and achievements of her grandkids, and was always present at soccer games, swim meets, chorus concerts and plays. She had a big and tender heart for animals. She loved feeding birds and squirrels and cats. She also owned several dogs throughout her life. Her big and tender heart extended to people. She called people on the phone to check on them and talk, and she wrote cards to those who were sick or grieving. Birthday cards too! These cards were personalized and often written on cover to cover to express her love. She was always giving hugs and kisses and saying how much she loved us. She always made it a point to say how much she loved people. And her love of people came from the love of her Lord. She was a member at Freedom Baptist Church in Durham and an affiliate member at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Durham. She enjoyed attending family reunions and seeing loved ones as well as being a longstanding member of the Oak Grove Ruritan Club. Her contagious smile and bright beautiful personality changed everyone she met for the better!  

In addition to her parents, Nana is preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Delano Eakes; sons, Barry Dale Eakes and Cecil Wayne Eakes; granddaughter, Janice Renae Eakes; great granddaughter, Kristan Lewis; brothers, Arthur Holder, William Broncho Holder, Rex Holder, Charles Holder, Robert Holder and Lee Holder; sisters, Hallie Appelt, Lenora Tuck, and Virgie Johnson.  

Nana is survived by her daughters, Tonya Eakes DeLargy and husband John of Durham and Crystal Eakes Jones and husband Davey of Creedmoor; brothers, Don Holder and wife Patricia of Oxford, Frank Holder of Stem, John Wesley Holder, Jr. of Florida; sister Maxine Thomas of Graham, NC; grandchildren, James Wayne Eakes, Allison DeLargy Lancaster and husband Greyson of Columbia, NC, Brianna DeLargy McCurdy and husband Drake of Raleigh, Autumn Jones and Savannah Jones of Creedmoor; great grandchildren, Emily Eakes, Adam Eakes, Marcus McDuffie, Robert, James Shelton, Aemon McCurdy, Elizabeth Abigail Eakes; great great grandchildren Ariyahnna, Juliana, Kal-El, AvaLee, Rose and Niko Eakes, and many other nieces, nephews and cousins. 

A visitation will be held Friday, April 26, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home. Funeral service will be a 11 a.m. Saturday April 27, 2024, at Hudson Funeral Chapel. Officiating will be Reverend Norma Roberts.

Burial will be at the Hopson Family Cemetery on Broach Road in Durham.

Pallbearers will be Dan Dunn, Justin Arnold, Danny George, Steve Holder, Steven Holder and Walter Holder. Honorary Pallbearers will be Adam Eakes and Barry Holder. 

Flowers are acceptable or donations can be made to Type One Diabetes Research through organizations such as JDRF (Junior Diabetes Research Foundation), Beyond Type 1, and the American Diabetes Association, as her granddaughter, Savannah, has Type One!