Obituary of Wayne Norman Eldridge

Wayne Norman “Big Guy” Eldridge, 61, entered eternal rest on Friday, December 9, 2016 at Palmetto Health Tuomey. Born on April 30, 1955in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, he was a son of Ronald G. Eldridge Sr. and the late Mildred Leeman Eldridge. Mr. Eldridge was a member of Westside Baptist Church. Wayne led a dynamic life and committed to carrying out his position as a greeter and usher. Wayne actively participated in the Special Olympics affording him numerous awards and recognition. Wayne knew his spiritual gift was an ambassador of Christ and without hesitation extended warm and loving hospitality wherever he went and in all that he was purposed to fulfill. Wayne attended St. Jude Catholic Church School and was employed as a landscaper with the NISH Program and Sumter Special Needs and Disabilities of over 20 years and serving Shaw AFB and the Sumter community. Surviving are his father and stepmother Magdalena Eldridge of Sumter; two brothers, Robert Eldridge of Toronto, Canada and Ronnie Eldridge, Jr. of Sumter; three sisters, Linda Thomas (Dean), Patricia Eldridge and Barbara Richburg all of Sumter; Numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, December 11, at Westside Baptist Church with the Rev. Aaron Reed officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Deacons of Westside Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Sunday at Westside Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Westside Baptist Church Building Fund, 554 Pinewood Road, Sumter, SC 29154 or to a charity of one’s choice. The family would like to thank the entire nursing staff of Palmetto Health Tuomey for their gentle care, compassion and love to our son and brother. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.