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DAVID EDEN YEOMANS
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Quickly now From Carteret Love Song |
David E. Yeomans
David Yeomans’ life was written by the waters around him, defined by the two island homes that made him who he was.
His first trip across Back Sound was on a cold February morning to go home to Cape Lookout. His mother had crossed that same cold water only days earlier to Harkers Island in need of a midwife. David was born on February 12, 1921 on Harkers Island, but was soon carried in his mother’s arms across the water to the Cape, a trip that would last for 85 years; a trip that would make him part of the mainland and the Banks, and would help an entire generation understand and appreciate that sacred bond.
Born
to Eugene and Sabra Yeomans, David was part of a family of
families. His six halfbrothers were Walter, Kendall, Fernie,
Dan, and Luther Yeomans, and Manley Willis. His halfsisters
were Mattie Yeomans Davis, Lena Yeomans Willis, and Carrie
Yeomans Guthrie. Today, his sister Ada Yeomans Willis, who
“Buddy” loved and cared for as long as his health
would allow, lives on as another testament to the strength
and character of this family whose lives tell the stories
of Cape Lookout and Harkers Island as lifesavers, fishermen,
mothers and fathers. They all lived the history we read about
today.
David’s childhood became his life in many ways. The wonder of the untamed beach, the beauty of Cape Lookout, the natural world that ruled this strip of sand was always part of David Yeomans. His life, and the cultural history that he represents, connected him to that place in ways that only living there would allow. His greatest joy was sharing that connection with all who would stop to listen. David had stories to tell and songs to sing. These were stories he had lived, and he shared them freely with all who would listen. His audience brought people of all ages and walks of life together in awe of his knowledge, his experiences and his passion for Cape Lookout. For those fortunate enough to have shared this with him, his love for us and our shared love for our ancestral home, will forever whisper through the scrub oaks of Cape Lookout Village.
David and Clara were married on December 23, 1941. Blonnie Mae and Joseph Guthrie traveled with them to the Methodist Parsonage in New Bern where “Preacher Barker” married them. They moved in Clara’s family home on the shore with her parents Danny and Ollie Willis. There they made their life and their livelihood. The first fish house on Harkers Island was built at that same landing. For many, many years, David ran the fish house and the buy-boat, as well as a scallop house. He knew the ways of the fishermen and they depended on him. He was always proud to be part of this way of life.
David and Clara lived on that same piece of land all their lives. Like many Islanders, they later moved the house up on the road and remodeled it for the next generation. David helped make their home a welcome place to everyone, with beautiful flowers and an open door to greet all who came over the years. Clara stood by his side in all that he did, giving in her own way, to the Island that was her home too.
Olivia was their pride and joy. David Yeomans
always made sure that “Lib” got what she wanted
as a little girl. When Lib married Ted, and had a family of
their own, David took care of her and those grandchildren
while Ted was away at work. Ted and David were lifelong friends
and though changes in the family came about, Ted was always
welcome. David was more than a grandfather to Brandon and
Ashlyn who live on family land ‘til this day. No one
will miss him more; unless it’s Bob. Bob married into
this family and quickly became part of the story, not only
on paper but in his heart. His patience and his love for David
and Clara has been an important part of the bond that has
held them together, and will hold them together in the changing
days ahead. As it has always been on the Island, David tended
to his crowd and they have tended 
to
him.
David tended not only his family, but his community. David was sometimes seen as the unofficial mayor of Harkers Island. It was at his kitchen table, not city hall or social services, that help and hope was readily available to the people of the Island. His leadership and compassion, not the offices he held, garnered him the respect of the people on the Island and beyond. He served as county commissioner, postmaster, board member for the hospital, marine fisheries, social services and other appointed roles, but it was his willingness to give, not only of his resources, but of his time and of himself that gave him stature in the community. His smile was only a glimpse of his giving spirit, his goodness, his humble way.
His church work reached beyond the pulpit where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and Lay Leader. He told everyone that he had held every office in the church except president of the Methodist Women, but he worked to help them too. David’s love and giving knew no boundaries. He gave willingly, and most times quietly, for whatever was needed. It was in his giving that we all have learned to be better neighbors, stronger Islanders, caring people. Harkers Island’s history is filled with the fruits of David’s labors, his giving, his leadership. Whether serving on the REA board, helping get a water system for the Island, building the rescue squad or taking time to talk to students and teachers about Island history at the Museum, David helped build the Harkers Island we all know and love today.
But if Harkers Island was David’s home,
then Cape Lookout was his heart. All his life David lived
between two island homes. He never, ever, gave up his piece
of Cape Lookout. Growing up there gave him an open beach as
his playground, but 
also
his classroom. He lived and learned from the sea; his weathered
face, his understanding of the natural world, the history
he shared was his testimony to that rich heritage. His stories
drew thousands to the porch of his camp that in 1958 he had
converted from a boat house into his family’s lifeline
to the past. Here history lived. Filled with bottles found
along the beach, seashells and the smell of Clara’s
chowder, David’s Camp was home to all who loved the
Cape and a gathering place for the neighborhood and homemade
ice cream on Saturday nights. There could never be a better
place in all the world.
It was here that we learned the stories that we will tell our children, stories that are part of us, and them, and their children’s children, just like they were part of David. Our roots in the sandy soils of Cape Lookout are stronger because of what we learned on David’s porch; not the facts, but the passion we share for this place, our commitment to the past, our determination not to let go, but most of all our willingness to be part of the future. David Yeomans’ footprints will forever be on that sacred strand of beach, and in our hearts.
David’s stories have reached people both near and far. From Bill Friday’s NC People to National Geographic, Southern Living, Coastwatch and Our State magazines, David Yeomans became the voice of Harkers Island and Cape Lookout. His willingness to share our heritage with the world has helped us all document and preserve this history for future generations. David helped lead the Cape Lookout Preservation Society in gaining historic district designation for Cape Lookout Village. He served on the original board of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and came whenever called to talk with visitors, students, writers and researchers. He worked with the Foundation for Shackleford Horses in its early years to make sure these horses would remain a vital part of this area’s living history for generations to come. He provided interviews and hand-written notes to all who would ask, giving freely and proudly of his love for his community.
In recent years, David helped lead Harkers Island into a better relationship with the National Park Service. David’s humble way has given the Park a better understanding of the deeper meaning of these structures and the heritage these places mean to all of us. David’s pain was shared and felt by all who loved him and the Cape, but he moved on with dignity and strength that calls us to do the same. We trust and believe that his love for Cape Lookout, the stories he told, the history he lived, will be kept safe in their keeping.
Today we say farewell to a father, grandfather, husband, community leader, statesman, historian, storyteller, fisherman, friend, but most of all, we say goodbye to a part of Harkers Island and Cape Lookout and Down East that will not come our way again. The loss is great and we will miss him ...
David Yeomans will be remembered for a long, long time. May the memories of his smile, the stories he told us, the time he spent with us give us comfort in the days and weeks ahead ... May his love for people and his giving spirit encourage us to be more caring, more forgiving, more understanding people ... May his commitment to the traditions that we treasure and the love we share for this sacred place live on in us . . . kwa
'Neath Lookout Light The gallery of heaven lights the sky,
For David Yeomans |
Original designer: Vanda Lewis & Casey Amspacher