Edgar Gene Smoak
Edgar Gene Smoak, 73, of Butner passed away Friday, September 11, 2020 at Duke University Hospital.
Edgar was born on October 27, 1946 in Bladen County to the late Edgar Leroy and Mary Lee Pait Smoak. He spent his early childhood in Butner and moved back to the area in 1979. He graduated from East Carolina University and retired from North Carolina National Guard in 1998. Edgar was proudly serving a third term on the Granville County Board of Commissioners and was Vice Chair and former Chairman of South Granville Water and Sewer Authority. He also served on the Granville Health System Board of Trustees. He was a former member of the Granville County Planning Board serving as chairman from 2003 to 2008. Edgar was appointed to the Butner Advisory Council in 2000, and then elected to the Butner Town Council in 2009. Edgar was instrumental in lobbying the North Carolina National Guard to assist in restoring abandoned cemeteries near Butner. He worked diligently to get the state to deed land to the county for a new cemetery known as South Granville Memorial Gardens and spent countless hours helping clear the land. He was one of the original trustees of South Granville Memorial Gardens. Edgar had a passion for collecting and restoring old tractors and farm equipment and was a charter member of the Lord Granville Agricultural Heritage Association.
Edgar is survived by his wife of 40 years, Vickie Long Smoak; one daughter, Maggie Smoak Brummitt (Trent); two grandsons, Carter and Pait Glenn; a sister, Lynda Carver (Ted) of Durham; a brother, Tony Smoak (Pam) of Butner; a sister-in-law, Sharon A. Long of Roxboro; two nephews and four great nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Monday, September 14, 2020 at the Eakes Funeral Home Chapel in Creedmoor from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at South Granville Memorial Gardens at 11:00 AM officiated by Dr. Charlie Bryan. The service will be live streamed and can be accessed by visiting our website. You may access the graveside service by clicking on the following link:
Graveside Service: https://vimeo.com/user111254589/review/458299090/83d91c80f6
Flowers accepted or donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Butner Baptist Men, P.O. Box 44 Butner, NC 27509 or to the Granville County Animal Shelter, 5650 Cornwall Rd. Oxford, NC 27565
Eakes Funeral Home is following social distancing guidelines and asks that everyone entering the building wear a mask.
26 Comments
I was very sorry to hear about Edgar’s death. I grew up with him and graduated in the same class at South Granville. Remembering back to our young years, I recall how much he loved baseball, and how proud he was of his Native American heritage. I send my thoughts and prayers and best wishes to his family.
We have all suffered a great loss in losing Edgar. Smoak. Please pray for his family and ask God to give him peace. I enjoyed working with him for the short time I had. His suffering is over and may his rest in God’s Peace.
Prayers for this family. I love them all. Keep them in your thoughts in these weeks to come. Memories will keep you going when you think you can’t. Be strong and remember how much he loved you all 🙏🙏🙏💗💗💗💗
We are so sorry for your loss. If there is anything we can do , please let us know..
Vicky I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family 🙏🏻
We are heartbroken to have lost a friend and most admired committed servant. Our love and prayers to Edgars family
Maggie I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Maggie and Vickie- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for the entire family during this time.
We’re so sorry! He will be greatly missed! You’re in our prayers and hearts! Love y’all!!!
Maggie and Vickie, sending our love and prayers to you and your family. May God give each of you peace as you go through this time of Edgars passing. Love y’all!
Vickie, Maggie and family, so very sorry to hear of Edgar’s passing. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Vickie, Maggie, Tony and Pam, Edgar was a true friend. Our prayers are with you. May God hold your family in His arms as you travel this path.
Lynda and Tony; I am very saddened to hear about Edgar’s passing. He was such a super guy and easy going and a “down to earth” guy.
He will definitely be missed by his family and the entire Butner Community. (Just so Tony will know sent a copy of his obituary to the NCNG Headquarters in Raleigh for Statewide email distribution).
Vickie, Maggie and the boys. Gail and I know the life of community service that Edgar provided. Working with him was a good thing; spending time was always interesting. He was a walking history book of the area Condolences to you and your family. May the Lord continue to hold you in his hands.
My mother married his grandfather when I was 10 and Edgar was 9. We had many fun days together and I was truly saddened when the family moved to Butner. The last time I saw him was at his grandfather’s funeral. I still feel a loss at hearing this news. My condolences and prayers go out to his family. May God bless and comfort you at thus sad time.
I am touched by how much he did for our Granville community and his family. I know his legacy lives on through Maggie and his grandsons. My thoughts will be with your family for a long time.
Vickie, Maggie, Carter, Pait, Sharon and family…my deepest sympathy on the loss of Edgar. I am so sorry. He fought hard and gave 150%, which is what he always did with any task or challenge.
I will always have a sweet picture in my mind of Edgar riding the tractor and bush hogging Hazel’s field several years ago. He was in his element!
Sending hugs of comfort and keeping all of you in my prayers during this difficult time.
Nancy
On behalf of the SGWASA, please accept our deepest and most heartfelt condolences at this most challenging time. May the family find comfort and peace during your time of loss.
Vicky,Maggie, Tony, Lynda and family. We Are saddened and share in your grief. I mourn the loss of great friend. Thanks Ed for all the memories from South Granville, East Carolina, class reunions and more. The Bird Man will miss you Smoaky.
I did not meet Edgar but I know his favorite and only sister Lynda Smoak Carver. Also I have met Maggie and her crazy boys and I know they were the apple of his eyes. The Smoak’s are one of a kind and I am blessed to know and love Lynda. Pam my heart goes out to you but we all do believe God had a different plan. Love Linda Lassiter
I was Hazel Long’s Sunday School teacher and just want to express my condolences to the entire family.
Edgar played a major role in the life of Butner and Granville County. He served on the Butner Advisory Committee and worked diligently during the incorporation of Butner. He was a dear friend and I will miss his support and guidance. Vickie and Maggie, Judy and I will keep you in our prayers. We love you!!
Maggie and family , sending my sincere condolences during this difficult time. Praying for strength for you and your family .
Edgar played a major role in the development of the Town of Butner. He had a strong desire and passion to serve the community In Granville County. Edgar’s vision as a Leader in many capacities has led our communities to a good place to live, work, and enjoy a better quality of life.
I pray for Vickie, Maggie and their families for peace and comfort during this difficult time. Sending love and hugs to each of you.
Lynda, Tony, sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. Please accept my sympathies for your loss.
To all the Family: We are truly saddened to learn of Edgar’s passing. I knew Edgar basically my whole life. My aunt was married to his uncle. We spent many good times together at her house in Bladen county. If you didn’t like Edgar, then you had a problem. He was thought highly of, along with the rest of his family! Dixie’s Mother was married to Edgar’s granddaddy, and she spent many memorable times with Leroy, Mary Lee, Edgar, Tony and Lynda Gayle. He was like a big brother to her! A lot of good times were spent working in tobacco. He will be missed by all, but not forgotten, We are truly blessed to have had the privilege of knowing him all of these years. May God continue to bless each and everyone of you! Love, Larry & Dixie
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