Eden Eure Honeycutt, 74, passed away unexpectedly at her beloved farm in Dugspur, Virginia, on September 20, 2026.
Eden was born on July 18, 1952, in Pasquotank County, N.C., and raised in Perquimans County on a family farm. At age 19, Eden relocated to the Outer Banks, a move that would change her life forever. She loved the simple life the Outer Banks had to offer; at that time there were no stop lights and only two lane roads.
In her early years, Eden worked for Carolista Baum in Dare County, and they became close friends. In addition to training Eden in the jewelry store, Carolista introduced Eden to philanthropy and community awareness through efforts to save Jockey’s Ridge.
Eden loved offshore fishing. Karen Griffin became a close friend and a mother figure to Eden. They would, along with several girlfriends, charter boats out of Oregon Inlet every Thursday. it was only $180 per trip in those days.
They all worked multiple jobs and knew the charter boat captains and mates. A lot of shenanigans went on during those trips and on one particular trip, they tossed Eden into the Gulf Stream. As she was coming up to the surface, they could see her in that beautiful clear water waving that finger and shouting some unpleasant words.
Eden was so proud to have caught a grand slam: a white marlin, a sailfish and a blue marlin. She won the “Rachel Hayman Trophy” one year by accumulating the most points for a woman lady angler in the Oregon Inlet Fishing Tournament.
In the summer of 1979, she met Greg. They were at a gathering behind the Seafare Restaurant at the Scraggly Hut. The couple hit it off instantly. She told Mike Kelly, friend and manager of the Seafare, she would be driving Greg’s little convertible Fiat in a week or so. Sure enough, after a few days, she was honking and waving to Kelly as she drove by.
Greg and Eden married on September 6, 1980, and it was a wonderful celebration. Charlie Griffin (Karen’s husband) gave Eden away. Carolista and Karen organized the wedding reception, and Carolista designed and gave the couple their wedding rings.
Greg had founded Ocean Atlantic Rentals, Inc. in 1979. After marrying Greg, “Miss Eden” became the heart and soul of the company. Working side by side seven days a week, they built their business renting household and beach items from their living room and outside shed. Miss Eden was a trooper and never complained. Greg has said many times, “if it wasn’t for Miss Eden, Ocean Atlantic Rentals would not be what it is today.”
She set the standard for their small business and made it a special place for folks to work there.
As OAR expanded the couple opened two additional locations–Duck in 1985 and Corolla in 1987–and knew more help would be needed. Eden took on much of the key hiring. She met Blake Buchert, who was managing a local men’s clothing store, and quickly came to Greg and said, “We need to hire Blake!”
Later, in the early 90’s, Miss Eden met and trained Chris Marik and Chad Miller to uphold her standards in the business. After hiring them, work became like family and they made OAR their new home.
In 1997, Eden and Greg built a home in Ocracoke. The island kept drawing them in as it does with a lot of people. Around 1998, Eden volunteered her time at the local schools. First, going to Cape Hatteras School via ferry four days a week and later at the Ocracoke School working with first graders. Eden found her love of helping children under the guidance of Mary Ellen Piland.
After Mary Ellen retired she volunteered under Eny Mutro and they became good friends. Eden also volunteered her time delivering Meals On Wheels and became good friends with Ms. Etta Spencer and Mr. Nathaniel Jackson, as well as many other Ocracoke natives.
Later, Greg and Eden bought a farm in Carroll County, Virginia. They built their cabin in 2006 and began spending more time there. Eden found a church with a wonderful pastor, Jeff Pickett, whom she loved dearly.
Eden loved attending football games at Greg’s Alma Mater, Appalachian State. She became dear friends with his Pi-Kappa-Phi fraternity brothers and loved their wives.
Eden loved to travel with Greg : living in Hawaii, spending multiple years in Jamaica and making friends with the Negril locals, crossing Canada by train, spending time in Costa Rica, Mexico, British Virgin Islands, and visiting Europe. They traveled many places throughout the U.S. going to see Eden’s favorite band “The Rolling Stones” perform.
Eden had a larger-than-life personality. She loved dearly; she cared for many, and she would dance anywhere when a song came on that she loved. She loved children and family. She loved animals and rescued several dogs, most recently “Molly.” She always cared for the less fortunate and was there for a friend. Eden loved Jesus, and she is now home, dancing with Him.
Eden is predeceased in death by her father, Melvin Eure Sr. who she dearly loved. She is survived by her husband, Greg Honeycutt; brother, Melvin Eure (Jenny); nephew Russell; niece Rachel; many cousins; and all of those who knew and loved her.
A celebration of Eden’s life will be held on October 24, 2026, at Hillsville Pentecostal Holiness Church in Hillsville, Virginia. Visitation will begin at noon and the service at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the “Greg and Eden Scholarship Fund” managed by the Outer Banks Community Foundation at obcf.org, or PO Box 2299, Manteo, NC 27954. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville, Virginia, is handling arrangements. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.vaughanguynnandmcgrady.com.
