SCHRODER, Eileen

Elizabeth

July 1, 1968 - June 16, 2024

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

These words from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians helped comfort and anchor the family of Eileen Elizabeth Schroder throughout her two-month hospitalization, as she courageously fought complications from a lung infection. As they prayed for miraculous healing – knowing Eileen's life would continue to glorify God – they also knew, should her suffering end, that she would join God in eternity with open arms.

It is with that foundational knowledge that Eileen's family mournfully rejoices her return home to her heavenly father last Sunday, on Father's Day.

To describe Eileen requires one to immediately envision a smile of the highest voltage imaginable, with the notes of her unencumbered laugh providing a sunny soundtrack for every encounter. She loved everyone she met. She saw the good in all people. And even in the midst of unimaginable circumstances – losing her leg to life-saving amputation in 2008 – she provided untold inspiration to others through her refusal to exhibit anything less than unwavering faith. She was a disciple-making disciple.

Eileen was born and raised in Atlanta and graduated from Mary Baldwin University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Before her passing, she was studying for her master's degree in divinity at Regent University. Eileen loved '80s music, travel and spending time at her family's home on Lake Rabun – often poring over a jigsaw puzzle on the porch for hours as she soaked up the gift of time and togetherness. Most of all, Eileen loved her family.

Those who celebrate the life of Eileen and are forever changed by the love she shared include: her beloved daughter, Kathryn Elizabeth Rosekrans and her partner ,Justin Copson; Eileen's grandchildren, Mason (5), Isabella (1) and a third grandchild due in December; father, William Henry Schroder III and his wife, Lynn Cochran Schroder; mother, Lynne Griffin Yancey, her husband, Benjamin Earle Yancey III and daughter, Lynne Deupree Yancey; sister, Mary Catherine Schroder and her children, Claire Barge Lindeman and William Schroder Feld Cates; brother, William Henry Schroder IV, his wife, Laura Neal Schroder and daughter, Halyard Jean Schroder; and Eileen's companion and love of more than 10 years, Ed Dean.

Eileen's life and legacy will be honored at Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, on Wednesday, June 26, at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lake Rabun Association or the Amputee Coalition.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jun. 22, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Eileen Schroder

7 Entries

John Waddy

June 26, 2024

Eileen, today was your funeral and your daughter Kate said such beautiful things about you. I hope my daughter Kate does the same for me when I leave this earth. You left this world a better place. Your life was too short, but you were loved deeply by so many. I know you are making everyone in Heaven smile today. We will all see you soon.

ED Dean

June 23, 2024

I met Eileen eons ago via a friend. After, I remember saying to myself "Woah beautiful gal, but man a lot of freckles".

Years passed and somehow we ended up being together until her last of days and these past years have been incredible to both of us.

Never a bad word passed between us, Never an argument....ever.

I often referred to us as "two misfits in life who simply fit". Over the years we melded into each other. She was mine and I was hers and in this world, we were a powerful display of God's work to all we encountered.

She is part of my Soul and I will soooooo miss her. Travel well my love, travel well.

See you when I find you.......ED...

Allyson Ogston (Ally)

June 22, 2024

2013, a 33 hour flight from Africa to Orlando sponsored by my good friend Ed Dean - Eileen was one of the first face to face friends that I met. With her electric hair, her outrageously beautiful smile, her infectious laugh....it seemed to me that her goodness and faith and ability to ride through any wave she faced was never ending. She was one of my very special far away friends. I loved the video calls that Ed instigated, with the two of them sitting on his couch; she made me feel like I was still part of that special circle of gimpy humans, despite the miles and oceans and continents and time that spanned between us. Hugs from 2013, 2015, 2019 and phone calls over the years......I will miss her. I will miss her inside beauty that made her outside shine like the sun. I will miss the E&E love affair. Too soon, this was too soon. My heart hurts. Even more so for my Ed, who has a hole in his heart bigger than I can conceive. Goodbye my lovely Eileen. "Uthixo abe nani side sidibana kwakhona" - God be with you until we meet again.

Naee McDowell

June 22, 2024

I had been doing Elieen's hair at Taylor brooks salon and spa for some time now she was so adventurous coming to see me and telling me about all her wonderful trips she had taken she was truly fearless and will be missed ,

Joy and Tom Webb

June 22, 2024

Sincere condolences, Joy and Tom Webb

Karri Routt

June 21, 2024

Eileen and Ed were our next door neighbors on the 80´s cruise for three years. I always admired her creativity and unabashedly outward way of showing all of us who she was, be it lights on their wheelchair spokes to creating a wheelchair train. Her love for the music we all loved was enthusiastic and magical. Her smile melted hearts, her empathy was comforting and her joy was contagious. She will forever be missed and we rejoice in knowing she´s having the greatest 80´s concert in heaven with all those artists that were preparing theirs rock stage for her entrance into Heaven.