Eddie Durkins was born on June 13, 1945 to the late Mr. Joe Durking Sr. and Julia Winder Durkins in Burdette, Mississippi.  Eddie b.k.a. "Pete" was the baby boy of his family.  Pete had three brothers, A.C. Durkins, Joe Durkins, Sr. and Arthur James Durkins and one sister, Julia Durkins Green to precede him in death.  Eddie's oldest son Patrick Marquette Baites and two grandsons, Marvin Bennett Blackmon, Jr. and Marquette Patrick Baites also preceded him in death.

Eddie Durkins confessed hope in Christ at an early age.  He was a member of The Church of The Living God of Leland, MS under the leadership of his son-in-law, Elder James L. Styles III.  At The Durkins'  Inn, he and Bob would always feed you really good and invite you to church.  Pete would say, "I ain't no preacher but I could tell ya where to get it from!".

Eddie, known to so many as Pete and by others as Maestro, loved laughing and playing with his family and friends.  Teaching his grandchildren how to play instruments, sing, drive lawn mowers, fly drones, drive cars, and many other things brought him true joy.  His skills for the guitar and harmonica were learned from his mother, while he taught himself to play the keyboard, passing these talents on to his grandchildren.  Pete played for the Sensational Stars, The Gospel Trio ( his family's group), Seven Star, Old Morning Star, William Chapel, Good Hope and The Church of The Living God of both Leland and Indianola, MS.  Pete loved playing his keyboard at home, more than anything.  He was truly a gift to people.  His favorite pass time was mowing grass; he mowed most of his neighbor's yards.  He enjoyed putting together singing groups, but his most favorite thing to do was call on Bob!  The one thing we know he didn't like was traveling!  He was definitely a homebody who loved his family and his wife.  One thing about Pete, if he had it, you had it especially if you were one of the grandchildren because they wanted for nothing!

Eddie leaves to cherish his memories his soul mate, Bobbie Jean Blackmon Durkins.  They were blessed with 40 years of love and great memories.  He has three daughters:  Makeeta (Jeffery) Thomas Sr. of Stonecrest, GA, Rita(James III) Styles of Leland, MS and Tamsin (Ar'dra) Wade of Lancaster, TX.  Two son:  Marvin Blackmon, Sr. of Greenville, MS and Eric Gibson of Memphis, TN; Fourteen grandchildren: Jeffery Jr. & Makayla Thomas of Stonecrest, GA, Yasmine & Yahnesse Wade of Lancaster, TX, Patrick Baites, Jr. & Jayden Marquiz Rodgers of Greenville, MS, Jaya Gibson of Memphis, TN, Jasmine S. Styles of Leland, MS, James Styles IV of Southaven, MS, James (Jasmine) Styles Sr. of Walkeegan, IL, Shewonia Sibley of Memphis, TN, Marsheonia & Destany Robinson & Miracle Blackmon of Greenville, MS; Three great grandchildren:  Mar'Qualaya Dandridge, Nova Williams & Hendrix Wilson.  Six nieces:  Angela Durking, Lutrice Acron, Deloris Ann Acron, Amogene Acron, Everlean Peterson all of Memphis, TN and JoAnne Tyler of Greenville, MS.  His only nephew Samuel Acron of Memphis, TN and a host of relatives and friends.