Obituary: Wilbur Felton Eubanks
On Thursday morning October 26, 2023, at 3:00am Wilbur Felton Eubanks, 89, of Trenton, NC received his ultimate healing from an ongoing battle with COPD and a recent stroke. He was surrounded by family when Jesus came to usher him into Heaven’s Gates where he heard “Enter in thy good and faithful servant.”
Felton was born on September 26, 1934, to the late Wilber Garnie and Trudie Stilley Eubanks of Trenton. He was the baby of five children who he has now been reunited with in Heaven; Doris Leona Eubanks and Husband Archie, “Little Buddy” William Franklin Eubanks, Leo Bender Eubanks and wife Ruthie, and Cecil Edward Eubanks.
Felton attended Jones County Schools where he graduated from Jones Central High Schoolin 1954. Felton had a love for his God but also for his country. He joined the United States Army at 18 and upon the loss of his Father he returned home from Germany and later joined the North Carolina National Guard where he proudly served in the 696th Maintenance Battalion in Kinston, NC.
In his professional life, as Felton would say, he was a jack of all trades but a master of none. However, his knowledge of the electrical Industry made him the “go to guy” when it came to his field of work. He was not only employed by Craven County Schools where he later retired but he also obtained his NC Electrical License and started his own business, Eubanks Electric and Repair. Felton was often told he didn’t really know how to retire. This was evident when he and his wife became owners of The Folded Napkin Bistro and Catering in Kinston, NC. While “employed for his wife” he gained the title of “Chief Dishwasher”.
Felton was a member of Stones Chapel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church in Trenton, NC for a number of years before the family began attending and later joined Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Kinston, NC. Felton had many titles in the Church including Deacon, Usher/Greeter, Church Electrician, and Men’s Ministries Comedian, however his favorite title of all was being named “The Official Church Hugger”.
The cornerstone in Felton’s life was his wife, Geraldine, who he knew for a number of years before eventually marrying her on September 3, 1965. They made their home on his family’s farm in the same house that he was raised in, located in the Plantation community of Jones County. With this marriage he gained Rosa Lee Eubanks as his Mother-In-Law, whom he affectionally cared for until her Heavenly homegoing. Felton was devoted to his family, his love was an anchor, deep and unconditional. Felton and Geraldine went on to be blessed with two children. Renae Eubanks Banks and Son-In-Law, Harvey Lyndell Banks (Lynn) of Trenton. Wilbur Keith Eubanks and significant-other Ronnie Lynn Thomas of Trenton. His greatest joy in life was being a “Papa” to Caroline Banks Gibson and Husband Billy Christopher Gibson (Chris) of Farmville, Collin Lyndell Banks and Kylee Blaine Thomas of Trenton. He gained the addition of a Great-Granddaughter Chesson Rae Gibson with the marriage of Caroline and Chris. Married for over 58 years, Felton and Geraldine were steadfast in their love for each other, their children, and their grandchildren. Felton and Geraldine made it their life’s mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Felton also leaves behind his Sister-In-Law Emma Lee Eubanks of Wilmington and a host of nieces and nephews who loved and adored their “Uncle Dude”.
To know Felton was to love him and he to love you. You would be met with a hug and a joke on any given day. His laughter was as infectious as his smile and radiated Christ’s love. He was an avid golfer, Story-Teller, lover of NC State Basketball and the Atlanta Braves Baseball, He could be found “tinkering” in his shop on his newest “invention” or on his tractor working in his garden. Felton will be missed by many people on this side of Heaven, but he would like to remind you all that you can see him again one day as long as you have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Felton’s family would like to express their great appreciation for the outpouring of love in so many ways, big and small. Please know your acts of kindness have not gone unnoticed and will remain close to their hearts. They also would like to say a special thanks to the medical staff who have shown genuine love and concern for his care.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Felton’s honor to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief or Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church.
The Celebration of Life will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 1st at Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church located at 711 Phillips Rd with the Reverend Brian Rogers officiating. Visitation will follow the service. The family will put their beloved Husband, Daddy, and Papa to rest on Thursday, November 2nd at 12 p.m. at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery located at 164 Longs Plant Farm Rd. Goldsboro, NC.
Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
