Gary Wayne

Gary Wayne Church, age 61, of Athens, passed away tragically in an airplane accident on Saturday, December 12, 2015 in Polk County, Tennessee. Gary was born in North Carolina to the late George Donald and Iva Lee Cannon Church and spent the majority of his life in McMinn County.

Gary attended Covenant Christian Fellowship and was a man of great faith. He never met a stranger and was devoted to his county. He is known as a remarkable artist and musician. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed flying his plane.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Debra (Debbi) Seibert Church of Athens; children, Israel Church and Heather Henderson of Athens; Rachel Anderson and Husband Mike of Hixson; Joel and wife Meghan Church of Athens; Micah and wife Courtney Church of Knoxville; and Jonathan and wife Kayla Church of Etowah; brothers, George “Donny” Church and wife Linda of Patterson, NC, Mike Church of Hudson, N.C.; sisters Charlotte Buff of Hudson, NC and Brenda Green and husband Dean of Gaffney, S.C. Fourteen grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and other extended family members also survive.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 16, 2015 from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Etowah at 7 p.m. with Brother Steve Ward officiating.

Family and friends will gather at 11 am on Thursday at Piney Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery for the committal service.

The family will receive friends from 5-7p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service on Wednesday.

Visit the Wayne family guestbook and leave a message of comfort.