Rev. L. Wayne Adkisson
December 28, 1946 ~ March 6, 2019
Resided in:
Candler, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Lester Wayne Adkisson, 72, passed peacefully on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, with loved ones by his side.
Wayne was born in Harriman, TN, on December 28, 1946, to Lester J. and Virginia Jo (Tilson) Adkisson. The oldest of three, he was a loving brother and friend to many. His gentle spirit and kind smile will be fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched.
He is a graduate of Roane County High School in Kingston, TN; Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN; The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY; and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Wayne served for more than 30 years as a pastor in NC, SC and TN.
Wayne found sanctuary being in the outdoors. Raised among mountain ‘vistas’ of eastern TN, he had a fondness for nature and native wildflowers, and would be frequently found working in his garden.
He was a ‘gentleman and a scholar’, and as a young man earned the honor of Eagle Scout and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army.
Wayne was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his mother; his wife of 50 years, Jane Easley Adkisson; daughters Julie Adkisson Bartholomew (Rene) and Beth Adkisson Fleming (Tim); six grandchildren, Sofia, Lucas, Hunter, Josef, Colin and Rees; sisters Jayne A. Averitt (Bob) and Donna A. Esty (Richard); nieces, nephews and extended family.
The funeral service for Rev. Adkisson will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at the First Christian Church of Asheville, 470 Enka Lake Rd., Candler, NC 28715. The Revs. Eddie Hicks and Jeff Johnson will officiate. His family will receive friends at the church following that service. The graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4500 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920. The Revs. L. Lee Whitlock and Dan Phillips will officiate.
A special thanks to friends and family who provided support on his ten-year journey with dementia. To those who provided in-home assistance: Lisa, Rachael, Frances, Linda; the V.A. Homebased Primary Care team; physicians and staff at MemoryCare; and the exceptionally loving staff at Care Partners Adult Day Care and the Brookdale Walden Ridge Memory Care Facility all in Asheville.
If desired, donations may be given in Wayne’s name to MemoryCare, Care Partners Adult Day, or the respite fund at Brookdale Walden Ridge in Asheville.
Remember him among the flowers in your path, or by planting a favorite of his, a bright Flame Azalea.
Give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about you. 1 Peter 3:7
My thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry for your loss! Nothing is like the love of a girls daddy and I will be praying for you Beth and for your family!
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..
Years ago when Beverly and I visited my parents, Cecil and Blanche Worthington, in Winterville, we enjoyed a very pleasant visit with you and Wayne. We remember you fondly and share your sadness over Wayne’s passing but look forward to a grand reunion in Our Father’s House where sadness will be no more.
Charles Worthington
Nokesville, Va
Wayne was not only a pastor to us during his service at Winterville Baptist Church but a good friend. We felt a great void when he left. He was a genuine compassionate man and always exhibited great integrity in his work with the parishioners while at our church. He was an excellent theologian and his knowledge of the scripture was exemplary. Johnny and I were saddened when he left. Our deepest sympathies to Jane and HIS girls, Julie and Beth. We know he has a special place in heaven waiting for him.
Jane, Beth and Julie, I am so sorry to learn about Wayne. I am sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
It was an honor and privilege to spend time with Wayne as a volunteer with hospice. He made me smile and laugh during our visits and I left feeling uplifted. My thoughts are with his family at this time because he will be so missed. I will keep the family in prayer.
Hello Jane – I got to know Wayne while I was working at CarePartners Adult Day, and came to know him as a very sweet, kind man. I retired 3 years ago, but have lots of lovely memories of his gentle spirit. Sending you warm thoughts during this sad time.
I am so sorry for your loss. Wayne was such a beautiful person. Always had that warm smile that I loved. So many fond memories from my youth of my sweet cousin. Actually Wayne officiated at my wedding. Praying for the entire family for peace and comfort during this time. I know he is walking on streets of gold with many of our loved ones and praising God. He will be missed. Love to all of you.
Donna and I are sad at the passing of our longtime friend from Tech BSU days. Prayers and blessings to his family.
Prayers for the family. My time with Pastor Wayne as Music Director at Winterville Baptist Church was brief but most rewarding as he was a great model and friend.
So sad to hear this I enjoyed Wayne at Adult Day I have so many good memories of him i pray God will comfort you & the family in the days ahead Jane I never got to personally thank you for the stove you got for the cafe in memory of Wayne I think of him often a big thanks from me love hugs & prayers Beth
Jane, Julie, Beth, and family – Joel and I are so shocked to learn of Wayne’s long-term illness and passing. We were so fond of him and all of you and will forever be blessed by his influence in our lives and at our daughters’ weddings.
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers for his service and in the days and months ahead.
Jane, you and your family are in our prayers (and have been). I’m so sorry you are going through this sad time.
Your neighbors,
Sue and Claude Harris
Jane, Julie, Beth, and family-my heart aches for you all in this time of grief. May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead. Wayne was such a kind soul and he reminded me of my Dad in many ways. Praying for you all during this time.
Hugs and prayers to Wayne’s family. Wayne was my pastor in Winterville, N.C. during the 1970s. He was truly a wonderful Christman man of God. May God Bless and Keep his family in his loving arms.
God bless you & your family. May you feel the peace of God as you say goodbye to Wayne. ‘Let not your heart be troubled….’ John 14: 1-6. You have been a blessing to all those whose lives you have touched. Wayne will be remembered for his heart of gold and for his Bible Scholarship by which he blessed & comforted so many others.
So sorry to hear. Jane, you’ve been a bright star at Pack for many years. I remember my time with you as a coworker fondly. Hugs and hopes that the happy memories outweigh the sadness in the future.
Jane, Beth and Julie….keeping you in prayer during this very sad time. I treasure our friendship that began at Sharon Baptist and staying in touch through the years. Truly sharing your sorrow now and during the difficult days ahead. Love and sympathy to you all.
Wayne was a great friend during seminary and also during my days at the Baptist State Convention of NC while he was at Winterville Church.
My deepest sympathy to Jane and the Family.
Love you all very much!!!! So glad I got to spend the last bit of Wayne’s life with him. I loved him very much andi wish I could have known him in his prime. I can tell he was an amazing man!!!!
I was so sorry to read about Wayne;’s passing. We became friends over the years at Care Partners Adult Day Care facility where I entertain the last Wednesday of the month. I knew he was a vet, but did not know he was an Army Captain, and an Eagle Scout – two very distinguished accomplishments. My condolences to the family. I will miss seeing Wayne.
I am so sorry to learn of Wayne’s passing. We were students at Tennessee Tech at the same time and active together in the BSU. I admired Wayne so much and treasured our friendship and have many wonderful memories of him. Know that I will be praying for your family.
Jane and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I just learned of Wayne’s home going. I’m not in Asheville now or would have attended the service for him. I surely will remember his smile and kind words as well as how he projected his love of our Lord and Savior.
Gail Nelson
Jane, You and Wayne have not been far from my thoughts for these many months since Wayne left Adult day. I have sent many my prayers and hugs to you both during that time. He was a kind, funny, and gentle man that loved you so much! My life has been enriched by knowing him and seeing your love for each other.
I am so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. I thought a great deal of him. God Bless your family.
Jane, I am just now learning of Wayne’s home-going as I left Grace 6 months ago and had kept up with you two in the weekly prayer list there as well as personal experiences shared by members. You and Wayne have been objects of my prayers for several years. I am still proud of being on the Pastor Search Committee which brought you and Wayne to Grace. I wish I and the church had done more to bless you over these past several years. My love and peace I send to you and your family.