FRANKLINTON — Dr. Spurgeon Edward Eakes, 91, of Franklinton died August 14, 2008.

He was born July 8, 1917 in Sassafras Fork Township, Granville County, North Carolina. He was the son of Ollie James and Nettie Kinton Eakes. In 1942 he married Mary Frances Todd and together they reared five children.

Dr. Eakes was the dentist in Franklinton from the 1950s through the 1980s. Spurgeon and his wife, Frances, traveled to all the United States, many European Countries, China, Austria, and Africa. More recently Spurgeon and Frances had been living in Cary, in a house he built after he retired from dentistry.

Spurgeon graduated valedictorian from Oak Hill High School in Granville County. He graduated from Campbell College (cum laude) and Wake Forest University (cum laude). After the war he completed his study at Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, University of Maryland in 1950. During World War II, Spurgeon was drafted into the army and served in the signal corps in the European Theater both in Paris and London. In London he was assigned to Signal Intelligences at Eisenhower Headquarters and later as motor officer there. He a member of the American Legion Post 52 and also the Lions Club.

Spurgeon is survived his son, Wallace Eakes and wife Marsha of Camarillo, CA; daughter, Cheryl Todd of Mountain Brook, AL; son Spencer Eakes of Miami, FL; son Howard Eakes and wife Janie of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is predeceased by wife, Mary Frances Todd Eakes; son, Stuart Eakes; daughter-in-law, Jurema Eakes; and sister, Mabel Eakes Elliot.

A service celebrating his life will be Sunday, August 17, 2008 at the Franklinton Baptist Church at 2 p.m.

Burial will be in the Fair View Cemetery followed by a visit with the family in the Fellowship Hall at the church.Flowers are welcome or memorial gifts may be made to Franklinton Baptist Church, 108 W. Mason St., Franklinton, NC27525.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC27587.

Paid obituary