MR. JOSEPH WAYNE WHITE, age 73, of Eastman, GA, died Friday, May 8, 2026, at Select Specialty Hospital in Savannah, GA.
MR. JOSEPH WAYNE WHITE, age 73, of Eastman, GA, died Friday, May 8, 2026, at Select Specialty Hospital in Savannah, GA.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00PM-7:00PM, Wednesday, May 13, at the residence of Carlos and Candice Hernandez, 53 Shady Oaks Rd., Eastman.
Wayne was born in Eastman, GA on November 11, 1952. He was a member of United Church of God International in Warner Robins, GA, and a 1971 graduate of Dodge County High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Gwen Rape on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1971. He worked as a Butcher for 41 years for several grocery store’s including Winn Dixie, BiLo, Food Lion, Piggly Wiggly, and Harvey’s, where he retired in 2015. He was a dedicated husband and a loving father who enjoyed spending time with his family and serving the Lord with all his heart. He was beloved by his grandchildren and great grandchildren and was affectionately known by his nieces and nephews as “Uncle Cookie”. He enjoyed collecting Hot Wheels and antique wooden cars, loved cheese, music, hunting and fishing, carpentry, and working on vintage cars. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Chester White, Sr. and Rebecca Johns White, and his siblings, Chester White, Jr., Robert White, James White, Jack White, Tisha “Pat” White, Eleanor Pittman, and an infant brother, Randy White.
He is survived by his Wife of 54 years – Gwendolyn Rape White of Eastman; Daughters – Tonya White and Candice Hernandez (Carlos), both of Eastman; Sons – Justin Kemp White and Brandon White, both of Eastman; Grandchildren – Kayla Hinson, Jason Cassidy, and Trevor Cassidy; Great Grandchildren – Colin, Zoe, and Ophelia; Step-Mother – Sara Mullis Smith of Eastman; Sisters – Jackie Horne (Buford), Martha White, Melissa Howell, all of Eastman and Mary Mathis of Jacksonville, GA; Brothers – Morris White and John White, both of Jacksonville, GA, and Benji Smith of Eastman; Best Friend – Wilbur White; Numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family may be contacted at the residence of Carlos and Candice Hernandez, 53 Shady Oaks Rd., Eastman, GA. In addition to flowers, the family has request contributions to Wayne’s Church, United Church of God International, % Brian Hall, 2104 Rozar Goolsby Rd., Eastman, GA 31023.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.