Rev. Thurman Jeremiah Wade

Thurman Jeremiah Wade was born on January 31, 1931 in Jefferson, Georgia to Henry David Wade and Iowa Elizabeth Lance Wade and was the third of the children. Thurman Wade passed away of natural causes on Saturday, August 18, 2018. A celebration of life will be held at 2 pm Thursday August 23, 2018 at the Crossroads Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Ga. Dr. Don Richards , Bro. Kenny Kuykendall and Bro. Dean Hamby will officiate and internment will follow at memorial park cemetery in Gainesville, Ga., with Tim Samples and Buddy Rhodes officiating. The family will receive friends at the church Thursday from noon until 2 pm and at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm.

Dr. Wade was preceded in death by his brothers Marion B. and Henry Jr. Wade and sisters Ioma Jo Fortenberry and Bobby Nell Bryant, and one great-grandchild, Maveric Lee Edwards. He is survived by his brothers Tommy, Hobson and Willis Wade. His sisters: Yvonne Simmons, Juanita McDuffie and Vera Cochran, Ann Owens.   Thurman Wade is survived by his wife Vindetta Barbara Roper Wade and four children: Glenda Cordell, David Wade, Darryl Wade, Daniel Wade and their husband and wives respectively. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Thurman Wade joined the Army at the age of 17 and served two years from June, 1948 until June of 1950 when he received an honorable discharge. During his military service he installed and operated tactical field radio transmitting and receiving equipment. He was called to preach in 1951 and ordained as a minister of the gospel by the Pleasant Hill Baptist church of Gainesville, Georgia. Thurman Wade married his sweetheart, Vindetta Barbara Roper on June 29, 1952 and were married 66 years.

He began the pastoral ministry in 1956 and continued in the following churches: Diamond Hill Baptist Church, Maysville, GA; Chestatee Baptist Church, Morning Side Baptist Church, Community Baptist Church all in Gainesville Georgia, Mineral Park Baptist Church in Ooltewah, Tennessee; Sharon Baptist Church, Cumming, Georgia; then started Victory Baptist Church in Cumming, Georgia. He left pastoring in 1974 to become the General Director of Macedonia World Baptist Missions, Inc.

Thurman Wade worked for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company and later he worked for the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company while in bible college and pastoring churches. Although as a child he could not continue his education past elementary school, he continued to be a lifelong learner as an adult. He completed his High School Equivalency Certificate in December of 1954. He took bible courses at Mercer University and Emanuel Baptist College. He enrolled in Tennessee Temple Bible College in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he earned his Graduate of Theology degree in 1968. A Bachelor of Bible degree from Gwinnett Hall Baptist Bible College in Lawrenceville Georgia. He received a Master’s degree in Theology from Carolina Bible College. He completed courses and he was conferred a Doctorate degree in 1982 from Gwinnett Hall Baptist Bible College where he also taught college Bible classes.

Dr. Wade became the General Director of Macedonia World Baptist Missions in 1974. He served from 1974 – 2014 for 40 years in this position and helped many missionaries to go to countries around the world to establish churches in those lands. He traveled to many countries where he preached and encouraged people, and taught bible classes in Moldova in the bible college. He wrote numerous articles for the mission magazine and published a book on missions.  Dr. Wade’s ministry has made an impact for Christ around the world. He had a driving passion for the cause of Christ, and inspired hundreds of men and women to go into ministry in America and to many other countries.

Dr. Thurman Wade established a legacy of integrity, impeccable character, and a deep love for each of his family and all people. He loved and cared for his siblings and provided a place for them in his home for many years.  He loved people, life, and his America. He enjoyed fishing with his friends occasionally and took up the challenge of learning to play golf in his later years. He enjoyed the pleasure of those relaxing times together.

Dr. Thurman Wade is well loved and respected by his family and friends and will be missed greatly. The family rejoices in the sure knowledge of his homegoing to be with his blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he strived so faithfully to exemplify to others.

The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Macedonia World Baptist Missions, Attn: Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 519, Braselton, GA 30517, to further the gospel around the world.

Those desiring to leave online condolences can do so at www.littledavenport.com.

Little Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory 355 Dawsonville Hwy. Gainesville, Ga. 30501