Rev. David Carlton Wade

Reverend David Carlton Wade, 67, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on April 26th, 2025. Born on June 23, 1957 in Burlington, North Carolina, he was a devoted son to William Calvin Wade, Sr. and Ann Wilbourne Wade, a dependable brother to Patricia A. Wade and William C. Wade, Jr., a loving husband to Cynthia (Cindy) Garnet Wade, a supportive and guiding father to Zebulon H. Wade, David W. Jesse Wade, C.J. Malachi Wade and Rebekah G. Wade, a proud grandfather to Jalen S. Wilson and Aloni J. Wade, and a loving great grandfather to Ocean M. Wilson and Janae' I. Wilson.
Rev. Wade was compassionate, caring, and dependable. He was called to serve God and began his ministry in 1979 with the United Methodist Church serving numerous communities throughout his 45 years of ministry in various communities around the Eastern Conference. He served the Bonlee Charge at the start of his career with Hope, Providence, and Meroney United Methodist Churches. He continued his ministry serving at Candor United Methodist Church in Montgomery County and Wesley's Chapel United Methodist Church in Bladen County, before serving as the Senior Pastor at both Camp Ground United Methodist Church in Cumberland County and Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in New Hanover County. His last appointment was with Ann Street United Methodist Church in Carteret County.
Throughout his ministry he was known for his preaching, his singing voice, his abilities at a piano, his dedication to his church members and their families, his gardening, his visits and checks with families, his laughter, the many weddings, funerals, and baptisms and his ability to always show up when you needed him most. Despite his many responsibilities, he always made time for his family and his passions. He cared deeply about being there for his family and making sure Cindy was taken care of. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved reading books, being in his garden, researching and visiting sites important to his family genealogy. He loved visits with friends and church members who were always 'his people'. He loved wearing shorts and a tank top while planting, holding church meetings, and above all attending various events for his children and grandchildren.
While serving at Camp Ground UMC, Rev. Wade had a Sunday morning inspirational show, "Beneath the Arbor," which reached beyond Cumberland County into Bladen, Lee, Moore, and Harnett counties. He also recorded a CD, "Singing Preacher Favorites," which he often stated made him a platinum record artist while serving at Camp Ground.
On June 30, 2015, Rev. Wade went on medical leave and retired from active ministry. On June 14, 2024, he retired as an Elder of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
While Preacher Man will be remembered for many things, he will always be remembered for his sincerity, his focus on family, being supportive to everyone that knew him, for being loving, trustworthy, and a true example of a man of God. Rev. Wade left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him throughout his ministry and after he retired.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy; his siblings, Pat, Calvin, and Madeline Wade; his children, Zeb, Malachi and Rebekah; his grandchildren, Jalen and Aloni; and his great grandchildren, Ocean and Janae'.
A visitation will be held at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville, NC on Wednesday, May 7th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 8th at 1:00 pm at Camp Ground UMC, located at 4625 Camp Ground Rd., Fayetteville, NC. A Committal Service will be held on Friday, May 9th at 1:00 pm at Bethel Memorial Cemetery, 1401 Bethel Methodist Church Road, Burlington NC 27217. A livestream of the funeral service can be viewed beginning at 1pm on Thursday, May 8 at https://www.facebook.com/JerniganWarren/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meroney Methodist Church's Building Fund (P.O. Box 81 Bonlee, NC 27213-0081) or Camp Ground UMC's Owen Chapel Fund (4625 Camp Ground Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28314) both churches close to Rev. Wade's heart.
We find comfort in knowing that Reverend Wade's legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared to all his church families, and the memories we will cherish and hold onto forever.
Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301
Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com
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