David Lee Oakes, age 69, of Lenoir went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at his residence, surrounded by his loving wife and his two daughters, son-in-law, and niece. He bravely endured the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and lived life to the fullest extent possible in the years since his diagnosis.

Born on May 29, 1954 in Caldwell County to the late Delbert Prince and Esalee Anna Sizemore Oakes, David was the ninth child in a family of 12 children. He grew up in the Setzer Creek community and attended Happy Valley School, where he played baseball. He was extremely proud of his large family and looked forward to attending the annual Oakes Family Reunion every summer.

David married Faith Madelon Miller on August 7, 1977 at Nelson's Chapel Baptist Church, and their daughters, Anna and Robyn, were born in 1984 and 1985, respectively. He adored his daughters and took great pride in attending their music, sports, and school activities.

David's career was in construction, and he worked for many years as a carpenter for Spivey Construction. He helped build many fine homes throughout the Lenoir, Hickory, and High Country areas, including his family's home in the Buffalo Cove community, and a home for his beloved mother nearby, where she could spend her final years.

His favorite hobbies, by far, were fishing and hunting deer, bear, turkey, and squirrels, and he loved the hunting beagles he kept for many years. Following sports was another constant, especially his favorite NASCAR drivers, Bill Elliott and later, Chase Elliott; the Cincinnati Reds; N.C. State football and basketball; and occasionally, Duke basketball — if only to antagonize his UNC-loving wife and daughters.

He enjoyed music, too, particularly beach music, classic rock and oldies, country, and bluegrass. He was a good dancer, and as new empty-nesters, he and Faith traveled to many beach music festivals and concerts.

Every spring and summer, he planted a large vegetable garden, and he dabbled in raising various animals over the years, including bees, chickens, guineas, and, that one time, a hog. And David was always hatching up a plan for some kind of side hustle or project.

His friends and acquaintances would describe him as quiet and reserved, but he also loved to call and visit his friends. He befriended and looked after many in the community, supporting some with loans or odd jobs, taking others hunting and fishing, and bringing his young girls with him to visit shut-ins.

He was a great storyteller, often sharing such memories as his days of hitchhiking up to Blowing Rock Country Club to caddie for furniture executives; his visit to Coos Bay, Oregon, as a teenager; and his many hunting trips to places such as Canada and Eastern North Carolina. The best stories left him laughing so hard he was in stitches.

He was a member of Yadkin Valley Baptist Church and loved and cared about his church family.

In addition to his parents, David is preceded in death by one sister, Shirley Bothwell.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 46 years, Faith Miller Oakes, of the home; two daughters, Anna Leone Oakes and husband AJ Amero of West Jefferson, and Robyn Leigh Oakes of the home; six brothers, Delbert Oakes and wife Deborah of Pennsylvania, Kenneth Oakes of Tennessee, Paul Oakes and wife Margie of Hickory, Leon Oakes and wife Ann of Lenoir, Tony Oakes and wife Carolyn "Cat" of Lenoir, and Dennis Oakes and wife Lucinda of Tennessee; four sisters, Carolyn Shockley and husband Shelby of Kansas, Lynn Shaw and husband Gene of Georgia, Kay Wentz and husband Tom of Connelly Springs, and Joyce Winn and friend Kenny Rhodes of New Bern; numerous nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; his church family, friends and coworkers; and his beloved dog, Scooter.

Memorial services to celebrate the life of Mr. Oakes will be held Friday, December 15, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. at Yadkin Valley Baptist Church with Rev. Bobby Pritchard officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M. at the church. Yadkin Valley Baptist is located at 4135 Steeltown Road in Lenoir, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AMOREM Hospice or to Yadkin Valley Baptist Church.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Oakes family.