Written by Cindy Scott

Deep Run Community celebrated Earl Greene’s 100th birthday with him at his home this past weekend. About 150 friends and family attended the birthday milestone with an outdoor BBQ event. 

Earl grew up in the Comfort community of Jones County.  He attributes his longevity to working hard all his life.  At his early age he picked cotton for 2 cents a pound and cropped tobacco for 10 cents.  When he wasn’t working, he says his dad would have him dig a hole and fill it back up to keep him busy. 

He says he has had a wonderful life and is proud of what he has accomplished.   He started working at Camp Davis for $40/week, which later became Camp Lejeune.  He retired from there at age 56. Next, he invested in farmland acquiring many farms across Eastern North Carolina. 

After his 1st wife died of cancer, he was introduced to Pearl Taylor Smith from Deep Run, and they married in 1988.  In 1994 they built a home in Deep Run where they continued to work hard and stay active in their church and community.  Earl always has a plan and a goal. 

Until age 97 he only took one medication a day and continued to drive his car.  Now he drives his golf cart and mows his grass and the neighbors’ yards.  He enjoys feeding the fish in his man-made pond and bird watching. Often, he sits on his front porch to watch people going to church on Sunday and to enjoy all of God’s creation. 

He is an avid sports fan and watches baseball and basketball (Go Tarheels) mostly, but has become a golf enthusiast.  His favorite golfer of all time is Tiger Woods and now Jordan Spieth since Tigers injury.  Earl was overwhelmed with the community turn out for him and thanks everyone for coming.  He says he feels like living again. 

He has been so lonely since the pandemic started it was his desire to have the opportunity to be around people again.  They made his celebration extra special and there is one very happy 100-year-old in Deep Run now.