Willie A. Eason Sr., 85, of 131 C. St., Suffolk, died Tuesday, June 17, 2003, in Obici Hospital.

A native of Nansemond County, he was the son of the late Gus and Martha Smith Eason, and the widower of Nelton Eason. He was also preceded in death by a son, James A. Eason.

He had retired from Planters Peanut Company.

He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he was the oldest deacon, a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the Senior Choir, and a member of the Senior Usher Board.

He is survived by five daughters, Martha L. Eason, Mary F. Taylor of Newport News; Lula Mae Eason, Christine E. Edwards (Richmond) of Suffolk; and Helynn M. Eason of Hampton; five sons, Willie A. Eason Jr., Richard C. Eason of Suffolk, Robert Lee Eason (Diane) of Quincy, Fla.; John S. Eason (Sarah), and Dexter L. Eason of Suffolk; a daughter-in-law, Norma Eason of Miami, Fla; a sister, Eugenia Eason Suffolk; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Tabernacle Baptist Church by the Rev. Nathaniel Scates Sr. Interment will be in the Eason Family Cemetery, Suffolk.

Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.