Wayne McLemore

Earl Wayne McLemore, known as Wayne to those he loved, finished his journey with us on Sunday, May 2nd, 2021. Wayne was an artistic and creative soul, and enjoyed working with his hands whenever he could. He was never happier than when on a sailboat, sliding through the ocean's waves, or simply drinking in the peacefulness of the beach. Always gregarious, Wayne could make friends at the drop of a hat, and cherished conversation and humor with his friends and family. He enjoyed movies, music, warm weather, good food, and a nice strong cup of coffee. Wayne leaves behind his sons Daniel McLemore and Zachary McLemore (Elizabeth), his granddaughter Ellie Grace McLemore, and his siblings Troy McLemore (Leona), Tina DesChamps (Jay), Bonnie Bridgewater (Ron) and Peggy Shifflett (Jeff), along with many loving friends and family. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary McLemore Wells and his father Clifton McLemore. Wayne struggled valiantly for years with Parkinson's disease, overcoming the limitations it imposed to live a full and independent life on his own terms. In honor of his memory, please consider a charitable donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Per Wayne's request, he has been cremated and his ashes will be scattered upon the ocean. The scattering and celebration of his life will take place during the summer of 2021, with details to be determined. "I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze, and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to meet and mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says: "There! She's gone!" Gone where? Gone from my sight—that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of her destination. Her diminished size is in me and not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says: "There! She's gone!" there are other eyes that are watching for her coming; and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "There she comes!" And that is—"dying." - "Gone From My Sight", Luther F. Beecher, 1904