Rev. Ralph Wayne Waycaster

Died: Jan. 26, 2013

KINGSPORT -- The Rev. Ralph Wayne Waycaster, 74, of Greeneville, went home to be with the Lord Saturday at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born June 18, 1938, in Kingsport, and was a son of the late Oscar Clayton and Ethel Benefield Waycaster. He has resided in this area all of his life.

Rev. Waycaster was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired from Tennessee Eastman Company.

God gifted him with a servant's heart and his greatest joy was ministering to the needs of others.

Rev. Waycaster pastored three churches, Pine Grove Free Will Baptist Church, Union FWB Church and Reidtown Community Church in Newport.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, dad, papaw, brother and a friend to all.

Rev. Waycaster is survived by his wife of 54 years: Mamaw Nell Waycaster; daughter: Debbie L. Waycaster Hayes; son: Richard "Bubby" Waycaster; three grandchildren: Travis, Jarrod and Erika Waycaster; a very special daughter-in-law: Judy; brother: Bob Waycaster and wife, B.J., of Georgia; a very special Little Buddie: Kinslee, whom he loved like a granddaughter; special friends: Heather and Vanessa; sisters-in-law: Elva Roberts, Blanche Johnson and Mildred Lovelace; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Alfred Lovelace, Jim Waycaster, Nick Waycaster and Arvil Waycaster; and one sister: Dottie Thomas.

The family will receive friends beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Pine Grove FWB Church, 12690 Horton Highway, Greeneville.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p .m. Wednesday at the church. The Rev. Keith Williams, the Rev. Barry Reed, and the Rev. Randall Matthews will officiate. Special music will be provided by Keith and Myna Belle Williams and Ray and Cookie Barkley.

Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Marty Jackson, Johnny Roberts, Charles Skeens, Darrell Wilcox, David Bright, Kevin Bryan and David Klepper.

Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Pine Grove FWB Church, Reidtown Community Church, and Union FWB Church, and Orgal Miller, Billy Idell, Sam Parker, and Charles Parton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pine Grove FWB Church Cemetery, c/o Brenda Wilcox, 12725 Horton Highway, Greeneville, TN 37745.

Condolences my be sent to the family at http://www.hamlettdobson.com.