Wayne Sumner

February 24, 1937 - December 9, 2013

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Charles Wayne Sumner, 76, of 108 Confederate Circle, Taylors, walked through the valley to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 9th. Wayne was born Feb. 24, 1937 in Etowah, NC, the son of Charles and Pauline Dalton Sumner. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1959. His devotion to UNC, especially his beloved Tarheel basketball team, was legendary. Wayne moved to Toccoa, GA to work at WNEG and WLET radio stations. The move kicked off a 46-year career in broadcasting and media sales and led him to the love of his life, Nancy Crawford, whom he married in 1961. They moved to Greenville in 1962 where Wayne joined WESC-FM as host of the "Wake Up With Wayne" early morning show. He moved into sales and on numerous occasions, he was named "Best Salesman of the Year" by the Greenville Sales and Marketing Club. Wayne was a CBS radio broadcaster for the Masters Tournament and host of the "Sunday In the South" gospel show. Wayne spent 43 years at WESC, retiring in 2005. Wayne was a devoted member of Taylors First Baptist Church for 41 years. He served several terms as a deacon, including two terms as chairman. He was a member of the building committee; a two-term board member of the Baptist Courier; a long-time member of the choir; coach for both his children's basketball teams; announcer for the Single Mother's Oil Change; and volunteer at the TFBC Life Center. Wayne was president and coach of Northwood Little League. He served as PTA president at Brook Glenn Elementary, Northwood Middle and Eastside High Schools, and was the game announcer for Eastside football for several years. He was also a past president of the Pleasantburg Lions Club. Wayne was renowned for his love of golf and was a founding member of Pebble Creek Country Club and a regular member of two long-standing foursomes. Wayne is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Crawford Sumner; his children Steven Janet Sumner and Amy Benji Brickle; grandchildren Elizabeth Sumner, William Sumner, Brianna Brickle and Ben Brickle; siblings Wanda John Love, Dean Susan Sumner, Gail Rhod Lowe, and Glenn Judy Sumner; numerous nieces and nephews; and a long-time group of special friends. Visitation will be Wed., Dec. 11, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown and Thur., Dec. 12, 2013 from 1:15 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. at Taylors First Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 3:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Taylors Free Medical Clinic, 400 West Main St, Taylors, SC 29687 or to McCall Hospice House, 1836 West Georgia Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29680.

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A man that I loved and respected, a true friend, a loving Father, a loving husband and a great man. Wayne I will always remember you. Tom Peterman

So sorry to hear this news. Wayne was always a beacon of light where ever he was. I am sure he is lighting up heaven! Praying for your loss, but rejoicing in heavens gain. Theresa Pickard

Amy, Nancy and family, I am so sorry to hear about Wayne's passing. He was such a nice man and will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. May the countless memories of this incomparable man of faith and family carry you through

Nancy I know how hard this has been on you and your family. Losing someone you love is the most difficult thing there is in life, but knowing that Wayne is in heaven makes the loss easier to bear. You have an amazing group of friends who will carry you

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of such a dear man. I worked with Wayne at Clear Channel and he was a great co-worker and like an adopted grandpa. I am sorry for your family's loss. I wish peace for your family during this hard time.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We are saddened to learn of Wayne's passing. Your family will be in our prayers during this time. What an encouraging servant of Christ. He will be missed. God bless you all.

Having worked with Wayne since his first years in Greenville I can attest that he steadfastly applied the principles of his faith to a remarkably successful career in an industry whose attention to the moral compass can sometimes wander. Colleagues, clie

We are friends with Amy & Benji....our sympathy and prayers are with you all.

Dear Nancy, Steve, Amy & families, So many good memories of all of us together, baseball, football, and all the other good times we had. Wayne was special, no doubt about it. I never knew a kinder, gentler man. He was always so involved in everyday life,

So very sorry to hear of Wayne's home going. Our sympathy to Steve and entire family. May God bless you with wonderful memories. The Smiths Steve and Derek

So sorry for your loss - You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time Love Lynne & Mike CowboyReynolds

Dear Nancy, Amy and Stephen, We extend our sympathies for your loss. Wayne was a very kind and good man. May God comfort you and provide peace to you at this time of grief. We are thinking of you and praying for you. All our love, Lila and TR, and fa

Deepest sympathy to you, Amy, and Steve. Wayne left many good memories we'll cherish fondly...simply said, "He was a good one." You have the greatest assurance because his life was exemplary of his faith.

So sorry to hear of Mr. Sumner's passing. Heaven gained another good man. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Wayne's passing. We have kept him and your family in our hearts over the past few weeks. I remember him as a kind, gentle, patient soul and have been sharing memories of him with my family today. We wish you peace and heal

Reading his obituary, I couldn't help but remembering that Mr. Sumner lived the life he preached! And he kept a heck of nice yard too! May perpetual light shine upon him and may God give you all much consolation. Love always, Julie Hayes Love

I am sorry for your loss but I know that you have some wonderful memories. I will always remember Wayne for such a loving person, a great personality & his love for his family, Nancy, Steven & Amy, his church family, also the love he had for our family. I

I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Wayne at Clear Channel at the Bank Of America Building. He was a sweet, kind man and will be missed. -JG

Steve and family, our heartfelt condolences for your loss. Wayne....coach....was truly one of a kind and we know you will miss him greatly. But we rejoice as we know you do in his homecoming to be with his beloved Jesus. Our thoughts and prayers are with

It was a tremendous honor to work with Wayne for several years. I considered him to be a man of great character and integrity, never wavering from his faith. He will be missed indeed.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I am Lowell Fletcher's sister. Wayne and Lowell were always close growing up and after and they are again together. Love and condolence to the family. Jean Fletcher Waters

I'm very sorry for your loss of Wayne. When I was a little girl living just down the road from the Charlie and Pauline Sumner family home, I remember Wayne having a larger than life presence. As an adult, I ran into him once at, of all places, a golf tou

Steve - May you feel the Lord's peace and presence during this time. Please know you are in our many loving prayers and thoughts. Much love and blessings, Donna and Denton Burnette

Loved working with Wayne. He will be missed.

Steve & Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. If there is anything we can do for you or your family, please let us know.

I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Sumner's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Sumner, Steve, Amy, and the rest of the family.

Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking about you.

Nancy, We are so sorry to hear of the going home of Wayne. We love you and please know that you and the family will be in our prayers. Love Ben and Carolyn

Nancy and family, I want you to know that you and your family are in my prayers at this time and I pray that God can give you peace by helping you remember the good time you had with Wayne. In Christian love Ann Henson

Amy, Benji & Children - I would like to extend my deepest sympathy in the loss of Amy's Dad. I know how hard this will be especially this time of the year, but know that the family is in my thoughts and prayers...just know he is in a much better place tha

Dear Nancy, Amy & Steve - I am so sad to hear this news. As your "favorite" babysitter growing up, I can still hear your dad singing hymns while practicing for choir at church & I remember his beautiful rose garden. He would pass me roses over the fence

Dear Amy thinking of you during this time in your life. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. We love you. Rick, Alex, Ma and Chris.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.