Rev. Allen Wayne Gathings

WADESBORO – On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Rev. Allen Wayne “Plug” Gathings, 85, left this earthly life and entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior.

Rev. Gathings lived a life dedicated to faith, service, and family. He devoted his days to spreading the word of God and serving his community with grace, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his Savior.

Funeral services celebrating Rev. Gathings’ life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Lilesville, where Rev. James Hodges and Rev. Todd Carpenter will officiate. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Jowers Cemetery, a final resting place for a man whose faith was as steadfast as the foundation of the earth.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Leavitt Funeral Home, and at other times at their home. This will be a time to share stories, offer condolences, and honor the legacy of a life well-lived.

Preacher Wayne was born April 19, 1939, in Anson County and was a son of the late William Thomas Gathings and the late Beulah Mae Swink Gathings. He was a self-employed carpenter and a minister of the Gospel.

Throughout his ministry, he faithfully served as the pastor of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church in Ellerbe and dedicated many years to ministering in both prisons and nursing homes across Anson County. Additionally, he was a devoted member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Hamlet.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his children, Wayne Gathings Jr., of Greenville, SC, Tonia Gathings Bowers of Wadesboro and Tony Gathings (Carman) of Laurel Hill; his granddaughters, Kimberly Tyson (Alan) of Wadesboro, Micheala Thompson (Allen Michael) of Greensboro, Marti Gathings, Samantha Gathings and Alex Gathings all of Greenville, SC; his great-grandchildren, Easton, Baylin and Lawson Tyson of Wadesboro; his brother, Thomas “Tuck” Gathings (Lynda) of Burlington; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Faye Gathings, Barbara Gathings and Winnie Williams all of Wadesboro, Joyce Gathings of Aquadale, Louise Almanza of Concord and Ronnie Williams (Kay) of Bumpus Mills, TN and his nieces and nephews and their families.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Williams Gathings and by his brothers and sisters, Monroe Gathings, Kermit Gathings, Kay Short, Frances Gathings, Haywood Gathings, Junior Gathings, Bob Gathings, Sarah “Sis” Morton and her husband Fred Morton, and Joe Gathings and his wife Ruby Gathings. 

“His Lord said unto him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’” - Matthew 25:21

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com