Wilber Waddle
Minister Wilber E. Waddle, 70, of Chattanooga, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at his residence.
He was the youngest of eleven children born to his parents, Columbus and Cora Waddle. Minister Waddle was a graduate of Sparkman High School Class of 1971, Madison, Al. Minister Waddle accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 14 and united with the St. Andrew Primitive Baptist Church, of Madison, Alabama. After relocating to Chattanooga, Tennessee, he united with Thankful Missionary Baptist Church on September 3, 1972, under the leadership of the late Elder Sullivan Coleman. In February 1989, Minister Waddle surrendered to God’s calling to preach the gospel under the leadership of Elder Oscar L. Lockhart, Sr. He was licensed in August 1991, as a Minister of the gospel. During this time, he preached at various churches and conducted many revivals. He continued his theological training at Baptist Bible College. On September 19, 1991, he was called to pastor at Greater Chandler Chapel Baptist Church in Flintstone, Georgia; there he served as pastor for 27 years. After serving as pastor at Greater Chandler Chapel Baptist Church, on Sept. 8, 2019, Minister Waddle and his loving wife Benita Waddle reunited with Thankful Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Mack E. Page, Sr. He served faithfully as an associate minister and sang with the Male Chorus, attended bible study and Sunday School. Minister Waddle retired from W.R. Grace & Company after working 32 years.
Minister Waddle was preceded in death by his parents, Columbus and Cora Waddle; sisters, Lovie Coleman and Mahalia Marsh; brothers, Jimmie, C.W. and Willie Waddle; father-and-mother-in-law, James and Odell Jefferson.
He leaves behind to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife, Benita Waddle; son, Demaris Waddle; daughters, Michelle and Nicole Tolbert; one granddaughter, Ja’Mariya Waddle; sisters, Hattie Sandefur, Maggie (James) Taylor of Chattanooga, TN, Annie Lewis of Cleveland, OH, and Minnie (Charlie) Coleman of Madison, AL; one brother, Pastor Columbus (Carolyn) Waddle, Jr. of Madison, AL; sister-in-law, Altheria (Ranwood) Faulk; brother-in-law, Wayne Jefferson; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
Minister Waddle will lie in state on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 12:30-5 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be on Friday, Aug. 26, at noon in the chapel with Dr. Mack E. Page, Sr. as the eulogist. Burial will be in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.