It is with deep love and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Wayne “Wayne” Hutchens, 75, of Homewood, AL. Wayne passed away unexpectedly on November 17, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 24, 1950, in Blount County, TN, he was the son of the late Charles Ellis Hutchens and Joan Louise (Roberts) Hutchens. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Floyd Samuel and Lucy (Matlock) Roberts, Thomas Jefferson and Lillian Mae (Stevens) Hutchens; his brother, Paul Steven Hutchens; his brother-in-law, Richard “Ricky” Francis Johnson, Jr.; and his grandson, Emery Charles Dibo.

Wayne grew up in Maryville, TN and graduated from Maryville High School in 1968, where he played baseball and basketball. He continued his studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. From 1969 to 1976, he served in the National Guard, an experience that instilled a strong sense of duty and the disciplined way in which he approached life. He completed his undergraduate degree at Samford University in Birmingham, AL and earned a master’s degree in Public and Private Management from Birmingham-Southern College.

His five-decade career in telecommunications began in 1971 as a lineman for South Central Bell in Knoxville, TN. Two years later, he moved into management, and in 1983 he transferred to the company’s headquarters, marking the start of a long and influential career. Over the years, Wayne became a leading figure in regulatory and legislative affairs across the Southeast, guiding the company through major industry shifts. In 2017, he became President of AT&T Alabama, a role he carried with vision, steady presence, and deep commitment to his employees and the community, until his retirement in December 2022.

Wayne also devoted himself to civic service, sharing his time and expertise with the Business Council of Alabama, the Alabama Statewide 911 Board, the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, Junior Achievement of Alabama, the Birmingham Business Alliance, the Birmingham Rotary Club, and Leadership Birmingham.

Wayne's greatest joy and most consuming passion was his family. His devotion to them was evident in all he did. He treasured every opportunity to encourage, guide, and celebrate them. Reserved and soft spoken by nature, sporting events transformed Wayne. There is not a family who shared a sporting event with a Hutchens over the last 50 years who doesn’t remember his deafening cheers for his children and grandchildren. He prioritized time with his family, and as the family began to scatter, he continued the tradition of beach vacations. They were hardly vacations for him as his unshakeable work ethic meant he was making breakfast with all the country recipes of his Tennessee ancestors starting before the sun came up. But he was in his element and radiated pure joy in the bright sun of Alabama beaches, swimming in the ocean with his children and grandchildren. The stress of a particularly hard legislative season would slowly disappear from his face, and his skin would darken about 7 shades, reminding us of his pride in his Cherokee roots.

A devoted Catholic, Wayne was a long-time member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Hoover, where he was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving two terms as Grand Knight. His faith life extended naturally beyond his home parish to Our Lady of Sorrows, where he served on the school board for 22 years. He also served on the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham School Board. He took great pride in the faith education of his children, six of whom attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School and seven of whom attended John Carroll Catholic High School.

Wayne belonged to many and will be missed by all, but most especially by the love of his life and wife of 46 years, Sharon Johnson Hutchens; his children, Tracey Munoz (Tim), Adam Hutchens (Karin), Erin Free, Katherine Dibo (Gaby), Gregory Hutchens (Kassi), Laura Smith (Tyler), Joan Menken (Benjamin), and Jonathan Hutchens (Helen); his 19 grandchildren; his siblings, Jane Timbs (Larry) and Mark Hutchens (Holly); and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family welcomes all to his visitation on Monday, December 1, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood, AL, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow in the Parish Life Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Patterson-Forest Grove Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Hutchens family during their time of bereavement. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pattersonfuneralhomes.com

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