Taft Henderson Eaker Sr., 83, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center-Huntersville, North Carolina. Born Aug. 11, 1935, in Cowpens, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Troy T. and Ruth Henderson Eaker and husband of the late Gail Wilson Eaker.

A U.S. Army veteran and 1957 graduate of the University of South Carolina, Mr. Eaker retired from Milliken and Company after 38 years of service. As the director of manufacturing in the floor covering business, he last served with the Hillside Plant in LaGrange, Georgia. He was a faithful viewer of the television ministry of First Baptist Church-Spartanburg, an avid golfer and enjoyed working on his classic cars. He also enjoyed working outdoors, especially in his flower gardens. He treasured time with his family and adored his granddaughters.

Survivors include his son, Taft Henderson Eaker Jr. and wife Dawn Goettler Eaker of Charlotte, North Carolina; and granddaughters, Summer Elizabeth Eaker and Ruby Marie Eaker.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307 with funeral services following at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Dr. W. Carey Hedgpeth. Burial, with military rites, will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307.

Memorials may be made to The Encouraging Word Ministry, c/o First Baptist Church Spartanburg, PO Box 2110, Spartanburg, SC 29304 online at Theencouragingword.org/; or The COPD Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134 online at Copdfoundation.org.

An online guest register is available at Floydmortuary.com

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel