Leon Smoak

RIDGELAND " The Reverend Leon Tillman Smoak, 82, a servant of God, departed this life and entered into his eternal rest in thy Kingdom above, Saturday morning, March 28, 2009, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Tidewater Hospice at his residence, 225 Pine Forest Loop, Ridgeland. He was the husband of the late Mrs. Birdie Lee Craven Smoak.



A celebration of his life will be held 2 oclock Tuesday afternoon, March 31, 2009, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. Interment will follow in Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery, Lowcountry Highway, Ruffin.



The Reverend Smoak was born July 25, 1926, in Colleton County and was a son of the late Sam Tillman Smoak and the late Kluthen Craven Smoak. He devoted his life to the service of Christ and his fellow man, and also was a retired Civil Service employee at Parris Island Marine Corp Base. He possessed a lifelong career with the Church of God, holding many pastorates within the conference. He was currently a member and the Associate Pastor of Hardeeville Church of God. A true Christian and lover of man kind, he will always be fondly recalled for the love he possessed for everyone, never meeting a stranger, and helping everyone he could. His last few years of life, proved that he along with so many others, believed strongly in the power of prayer.



Surviving are: two sons, The Reverend Roger L. Smoak and his wife Gladys of Hardeeville and Stanley J. Smoak and his wife Louise of Ridgeland; two daughters, Kay Smoak Drew and her husband Samuel of Ridgeland and Anna Lee Smoak Tallmage of Beaufort; and a brother-in-law, Randolph Craven of Bonneu. There are nine grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews that also survive. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Drew; and a great grandson, Gabriel.



Flowers will be accepted, or for those that wish, the family has suggested that memorials be directed in his memory to the following: Relay for Life, 5900 Core Road, Suite 504, North Charleston, SC 29406; or to, Hardeeville Church of God, Post Office Box 481, Hardeeville, SC 29927.



Memorial messages and thoughts may be left for the family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com



Family and friends are invited to call from 5:00 until 8:00 this Monday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

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