Ronald Wayne Mercer
Wayne Mercer, age 71, passed away unexpectedly from illness on July 5, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family in Greenville, SC.
Born in Chattanooga, on Aug. 3, 1952, he was raised in Rossville, and attended Lakeview Schools and graduated from East Ridge High School in 1970. Wayne earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1976. After graduating he became a National Bank Examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, U.S. Department of the Treasury, retiring after a long and rewarding career in March of 2014.
After his retirement, Wayne and his beloved wife, Kathy Chestnutt Mercer, bought their home on Paris Mountain outside Greenville, SC. Kathy and Wayne loved living on the mountain and enjoyed their home with the beautiful view of the southern Appalachian Mountains. All family and friends were always welcomed in their home and lots of memories on the mountain will be cherished. Together, Wayne and Kathy care for and adopt stray, feral, and rescue cats. Wayne loved their cats and especially Lulu and Luke. Lulu only allowed Wayne to be her friend.
Wayne was a lifelong car racing enthusiast and enjoyed attending, watching, and working in the sport that he loved. He volunteered for many years with the Sports Car Club of America at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA. He loved watching movies and documentaries and was very creative and adaptive with streaming technology. His adventurous and fun-loving personality will be missed by all that know and love him. Wayne loved his life, family, and friends and there was never a dull moment in his presence.
Wayne is survived by his wife Kathy, daughters, and four grandchildren. Daughter Stacey Dickinson and her family Chad, John and Sadie of Suwanee, Ga., and Daughter Nichole Holliday and family Brad, Lucy and Ruby of Cumming, Ga., were deeply loved and cherished by their Father. Wayne’s brother Glenn and his wife Sabra Mercer, Chattanooga, and his sister, Trinka Rickett, Ringgold, survive along with his nieces and nephews. Also, Kathy’s family deeply loved and enjoyed Wayne.
Preceding Wayne in death was his parents, William H. “Bill” and Jeannetta Mercer of Rossville, and his brother-in-law, Glenn Rickett of Ringgold.
In accordance with Wayne’s wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered at Road Atlanta, Braselton, Ga., in Turn 6 at a later date. Turn 6 at Road Atlanta has special significance to Wayne.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Concerned Citizens for Animals, POB 1332 Simpsonville, SC 29681. Or, Wounded Warriors Project, 1349 West Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, GA 30309. These charities were special to Wayne and both have online access.
Condolences may be shared with the family and live webcasting of the memorial service will be available at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 14, at 3 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 p.m. until the service hour at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, Rossville.