BLYTHEWOOD – Robert D. Moak, 96, of Blythewood, joined his Heavenly Father on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Born in Blythewood, SC, on August 1, 1927, he was a son of the late George Washington Moak and Johnnie Louise Halstead Moak.
A veteran of World War II, Mr. Moak enlisted in the US Navy in 1944. Robert met and married his sweetheart, Betty Mathis, in June 1951. They began married life in his hometown of Blythewood. He joined construction work with friends from high school, honing his love for woodworking and building.
That love of building led him to a career in commercial construction. He had great pride in the building projects that he completed in downtown Columbia as well as across the Southeast. One of his last jobs before retiring was supervising the building of the beautiful fountain at the S. C. Governor’s Mansion.
After retiring, Mr. Moak worked daily in his workshop making local crafts with his wife, Betty, and also doing small construction jobs and repairs for neighbors and friends as needed. He was quick to smile, honest and steadfast. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He introduced his children and grandchildren to books and how those stories could enhance their lives. He invoked the love of nature with simple walks in the woods, gardening and fishing. Robert led by example and was always ready to share anything he owned with someone in need. It was said many times, if you left the Moak’s house empty-handed, it was your own fault.
Raised in the Lutheran Church his Christian faith was an example that surrounded his family and friends with active involvement in the offices of the church, the church softball league; and serving with the Salkehatchie Mission Project in the early years after Hurricane Hugo.
He volunteered help in the community, helping churches remove walls to add handicap access and then took that removed wood scraps and made beautiful wooden trays as remembrance items for those churches. He was a charter member of the Blythewood Lions Club and remained active until his move to assisted living. He loved playing cards with his buddies and fishing at Lake Wateree on Sunday AFTER church service. Following his days of fishing, he loved to host Fish Frys at his home and always enjoyed the food and fellowship with friends. A perfect day would include a hot cup of coffee and slice of Betty’s lemon pound cake.
Mr. Moak is survived by his daughters, Barbara Beckham (Robert) Pemberton, Mamie (Steve) Turner, Nancy (Mike) Grogan; grandchildren, Ginny (Russell) Wright, Jamie (Amanda) Beckham, Tamara (Bryan) Day, and Eric (Elisa) Grogan; and six great-grandchildren. He had seven siblings, Taussig Moak, Zita Lyles, John Moak, George Moak, Ann Jones and Richard Moak. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Mathis Moak.
The funeral service for Mr. Moak was held at 1 o’clock, Monday, January 29th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Burial with military honors followed in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Blythewood, SC. The family received friends prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 11 o’clock.
Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews: Taussig Moak, Norman Moak, Mark Moak, Barney Brewer Jr., James Warren, William Warren, Jr.
The family would like to thank the staff of Carroll Campbell Place, Lexington Extended Care and Medical Services of America (MSA) Hospice who provided excellent care and support to Robert and his family over the past two years.
Memorials may be made to Christian Assistance Bridge Food Bank , 126 Blythewood Road, Blythewood SC 29016; S. C. Lions Foundation, 234 Outlet Point Blvd., Columbia, SC 29210, Veterans Last Patrol, 140 Venture Blvd., Spartanburg, SC 29306 of the charity of your choice.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.