Max Gardner Creech, the youngest child of James Ransome and Martha Strickland Creech, was born May 28, 1926 in Selma, NC. He went to his Eternal Home October 30, 2009. Max was the owner of the Max G. Creech Insurance Agency in Smithfield from 1957 to 1990, when he retired and sold the business. A member of Edgerton United Methodist Church in Selma, he attended the First Baptist Church in Smithfield for many years. Max was a 55 year member of the Smithfield Rotary Club, a life member of the Salvation Army Board and had just ended his term with the JCC Foundation Board of Trustees. He was also a veteran of the US Navy.

Funeral services was conducted at 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2009, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Colbert and the Rev. Ray Hodge officiating. A private burial followed in the Riverside Cemetery Extension.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Lynda Dupree Creech; sons, James Ransom Creech of Raleigh and Max Gardner Creech, Jr. and wife Sophie of Durham; daughter, Paige Creech Kay and husband Michael of Fort Wayne, IN; and three grandchildren, William Ransom Kepley Creech, Patrick Kay and Melissa Kay.

The family received friends from 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 306 N. Brightleaf Blvd, Smithfield, NC 27577 or the JCC Foundation, P. O. Box 2350, Smithfield, NC 27577.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parrishfh.com.