Nothing compares to a mother's love. Nothing can touch a mother's touch. She pats us on the back when we've done good, gives us "the look" for not behaving as we should, wipes away the tears when we're lonely or sad, paddles our bottoms when we've been bad. She's a nanny, nurse, playmate, and protector. She's a chef, comforter, teacher and tailor. She's wise and willing, patient and passionate. She's everything we need, when we need it, whether we realize it or not. She's our best friend, our most sincere critic, our biggest supporter. She looks beyond who we are, envisions who we can be, and helps chart the course, to fulfill our dreams. That's our Mother and Memaw. That's Alpha Eggart. Alpha Mae (Eubanks) Eggart was born August 25, 1925 in Pensacola, FL to Jesse Isaiah and Maggie Mae Eubanks. She lived in the East Hill community until she was around the age of 6 years old, when a fire destroyed their home. The family relocated to Myrtle Grove where she attended Myrtle Grove Elementary School. Alpha graduated from Pensacola High School, class of 1943. In 1944 she met and fell in love with Bill Eggart. The sixth time they ever saw each other was the day they were married, July 18, 1944. They were married for 68 years and blessed with 4 children. She passed peacefully Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Alpha loved children. Throughout the 1950's and 60's she was a regular at A. K. Suter School PTA meetings, served as Room Mother, and helped make costumes for the many children's plays performed there. She also worked at many Suter School Halloween Carnivals, which were always big community events. Alpha taught 4 year old Sunday School at Heights Baptist Church for nearly 30 years. Every summer she was a faithful supporter and teacher at Vacation Bible School. Our house was a regular hang-out for the neighborhood children. We never had a manicured lawn because our yard was the neighborhood football and baseball field. When asked why she always let the kids tear up her yard she said, "Well, if my boys are playing here, I know they're not getting in any trouble!" She was also a great cook. Her gumbos, chowders, and creole dishes, pies, cakes and cookies were to die for! Her recipes were always in demand, though few could match her special touch of a "pinch of this and a dash of that!" She was a master of Southern Cooking.fresh vegetables, dumplings, biscuits, and fried chicken. None better this side of Heaven! She insisted that all of her children learn to cook, even the boys. Though Daddy resisted at first, we're all glad Mama stood her ground and did her best to pass along her skills. Alpha was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Maggie, her husband Bill, her daughter Gardys Louise Houck of Pensacola, brother J.D. Eubanks, and her sisters, Gardys Rucker of Jacksonville, Mazie Bell of Vernon, and Ellen Prentice of Pensacola. She is survived by her 3 sons, Stephen Edward (Cheryl), Henry Eugene (Cheryl), and William David (Carol) all of Pace, 14 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Monday, October 21, 2013 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Funeral Service will be held 10:00am Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Reverend Fred Martin will be officiating. Burial will be in Bayview Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be grandsons Jason Wilson, Billy Eggart, Kirk Troil, Daniel Wilson, Gene Eggart, Sam Eggart, and Daniel Eggart. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Sawyer, Steve Rhodes, Ronnie Yaden, Tommy Simmons, Rusty Simmons, Burrell Nellums, Eric Troil, George Rials, Brad McLaughlin, and John McGill. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and administration at Santa Rosa Health and Rehab in Milton, FL, for their excellent care, love and devotion to Mama's health and well-being these past 2 ½ years as well as the kind and devoted employees at Emerald Coast Hospice.