Wayne

Herndon

Charles Wayne Herndon departed this life on May 7, 2024, at his home in Barwick. He was 84 years old.

Herndon was born in Barwick on Sept. 27, 1939. He lived and worked on his family's farm until joining the National Guard and then the U.S. Air Force, where he had a 28-year career as an airplane mechanic and maintenance supervisor before retiring in 1988. He earned an associate's degree from the Community College of the Air Force, and his military career took him and his family to Charleston, S.C.; Anchorage, Alaska; Oscoda, Mich.; Montgomery, Ala.; and Hahn Air Base, Germany. He was a proud Vietnam veteran, serving there in 1969-70.

After retiring from the military, he returned to his hometown and started a second career, serving as a corrections officer with the Georgia Department of Corrections for 11 years.

He was a devoted member of Victory Baptist Church in Thomasville for the past 18 years. He enjoyed working in his large yard, tinkering with old machinery, and keeping his family's various vehicles running smoothly.

Herndon is survived by his wife, Glenda, to whom he was devoted for 63 years; his two sons, Michael (Leigh) of Mobile, Ala., and Fred (Tina) of Quitman; and three grandchildren: Caroline Herndon, Sallie Herndon and Cameron Skipper. He is also survived by a brother, Fred Herndon, of Palm Coast, Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Beverly Lamon of Dixie and Sandra McBride of Quitman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Josie Herndon; a brother, David Herndon; and a sister, Evelyn Covington.

The family would like to thank Georgia Hospice Care (Conner, Dani, Renau, Holly and Sharika) and CenterWell Home Health (Amberlee, Molly, Scott & Brooke) for their care of Wayne during his final months. A special thanks also to Nikisha Guyton and Sharolyn Jones, whose steady help and care were invaluable.

A Funeral Service will be held at Victory Baptist Church in Thomasville on Friday, May 17, at 2 p.m., with interment to follow at Rosewood Cemetery in Barwick. Arrangements are being handled by Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home of Thomasville.