Dewey Nelson "Nelson" Hoke, 87, of Conetoe, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025. Born on May 31, 1938, in Statesville, North Carolina, Nelson was the son of Dewey Randolph Hoke and Mary Allene Plyler.

Nelson was a man full of joy, known for his smile, positive spirit, and love of people. He never met a stranger and was always up for a good time. Dancing, especially shagging to beach music, was one of his great passions, and it brought him endless happiness. Friends and family will remember him as someone who made life lighter just by being around.

He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War era. Semper Fi.

Nelson worked alongside his father in Hoke Construction, a family business, later owned Conetoe Restaurant for many years where he made his children work hard alongside him, and also built a successful health food business, selling Shaklee products for many years. Through his work with Shaklee, he earned a company car and won a trip to San Francisco. His greatest accomplishment, however, was always his family, whom he loved deeply.

He was a fun, loving father to his children: Nelson Christopher "Chris" Hoke, married to Susan Cannon; Kathryn Plyler, married to Louis Pitt; and Mary Martha, married to Adam Treadaway. He was a proud grandfather to Brody Hoke and Riley Treadaway, taking great joy in watching his family grow.

Faith was central to Nelson's life. He loved God, faithfully took his family to church every Sunday, and especially enjoyed Sunday School. He loved collecting all things and flowers, earned his Master Gardener designation, and took special pride in his handmade blue slate waterfall.

In his younger years, Nelson played football at Tarboro High School, where he served as team captain and earned the nickname "Wild Man." An all-star athlete in the Class of 1957, he was blessed to attend his 68th high school reunion this past May, where he was once again celebrated as the all-star, sharing stories, laughter, and memories with lifelong friends. That spirited nickname stayed with him in the best way. He embraced life fully, laughed often, and made memories wherever he went.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, December 22, at 2:00 p.m. at Conetoe Methodist Church Cemetery.

Nelson's legacy is one of faith, joy, kindness, laughter, and a life well lived. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him, and he is definitely dancing in heaven.

In honor of Dewey Nelson Hoke, a devoted Master Gardener with the Edgecombe County Cooperative Extension, who found great joy in tending his garden and sharing his knowledge and love of flowers with others, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Edgecombe Extension Fund.

Please make checks payable to EDGECOMBE EXTENSION FUND with "EMGV: In Honor of Nelson Hoke" noted in the memo line. Donations may be mailed to: Edgecombe County Cooperative Extension Service P.O. Box 129, Tarboro, NC 27886