Wayne E. Jordan July 29, 1938- March 25, 2025. Wayne grew up in Thomasville, NC, graduated from Wake Forest University with honors in 1960, and from Wake Forest Law School with honors in 1963. At WFU he was a cheerleader and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He remained a loyal Demon Deacon fan for the rest of his life. Wayne served six months active duty in the military and 5 1/2 years in the National Reserves. He began as an attorney in Laurinburg, and then enjoyed 38 years in the Trust Department of First Union National Bank (now Wells Fargo) based out of Raleigh NC. He retired as VP of the Southern Pines branch and continued to manage a private foundation for many years in retirement.
Wayne and Jeannie married on May 30, 1975 – their “real Memorial Day,” he claimed. Wayne always said he fell in love with her children, Scott and Noel, before he fell in love with her. He became their second father when they were very young and raised them both to be good people and parents in his image. He was an exceptional “Daddy Wayne” to his grandchildren Ben, Anna, Zack, Mary Jordan, and Dylan. Wayne and Jeannie also had a “surrogate” son and daughter in Mark and Darlene Vaughn and their children and grandchildren, who were very special parts of their lives.
Wayne’s passion and life with Jeannie centered on preschool children, music, and faith. Singing in the church choir and teaching Sunday school was an integral part of Wayne’s life. Wayne was known to have a song ready to sing for any occasion, either secular or sacred. He sang in church choirs for more than 70 years. Wayne and Jeannie were founding members of Greystone Baptist Church in Raleigh (supported by First Baptist Church of Raleigh). He served as the Minister of Music from 1983 until they moved to Southern Pines in 1988. In Southern Pines, they were very active in First Baptist Church of Southern Pines.
In their leisure time, Wayne and Jeannie toured England, France, Alaska, Hawaii, and the American West. After Jeannie died in December 2015, Wayne continued to lead an active life in the church and community. He was an avid golfer, an active Kiwanian, and loved to read. He was known to be a huge Chick-fil-A (extra crispy fries) and Krispy Kreme donuts fan. Living in Penick Village since 2016, Wayne became the unofficial mayor of the community where he knew the names and birthdates of all the residents and staff. He was a proud grandfather and attended sporting events, performances, graduations, and weddings of his large, loving family.
Wayne is survived by his son, Scott Wilkinson, wife Tina, and their children Ben and Anna, by his daughter Noel Tucker, husband Ed, and their children Zack, Mary Jordan, and Dylan, and by his sister Carol Sue Kessler and her family. He is also survived by his surrogate granddaughter Nam Bloem, by surrogate son and daughter Mark and Darlene Vaughn and their children Michael and Stephanie, and by dear friend Donna Haggard. A loving father, strong man of faith, friend to everyone he met, Wayne truly made a difference in the world. He will be missed by all of us greatly.
A visitation with family will be held on Friday May 2 6:30 – 8:30 PM at Boles Funeral Home Southern Pines. Memorial Service will be Saturday May 3rd, 12 noon at First Baptist Church of Southern Pines. Memorial contributions in honor of Wayne can be made to the First Baptist Church, 200 East New York Ave, Southern Pines, NC 28387, First Health Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28376 or Penick Village Foundation, 500 East Rhode Island Ave, Southern Pines, NC 28387.
Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines.
