Pastor Wayne T. Lee Jr.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of

            Pastor Wayne T. Lee, Jr.

                     1954 - 2025

Obituary

Wayne O. T. Lee, Jr., age 71, born April 1, 1954 in Columbus, OH, peacefully went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at The James OSU Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH.

Wayne accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a baptized. He became a member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Columbus, OH.

In 1972, Wayne graduated from East High School. He furthered his education by attending local and out of state universities, including Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, and was licensed by the State of Ohio as a Funeral Director and Owner for nearly 45 years.

God placed many callings on the life of Pastor Lee, and he was highly gifted in many areas, resulting in a positive influence in the community, both religious and secular. His entrepreneur endeavors began at a very young age, and one of his initial family-owned business’ was, L & L Ambulance Service. Wayne was affectionately known as “Peppie” by his aunts, uncles, cousins, family and especially childhood friends, because his purpose was evident and he was always on the move and go, achieving dreams, goals and planning his next hobby or business opportunity/venture. Wayne always strived to do things with excellence and class, this attribute was infectious to those he came in contact with.

One call and vision was to establish The Wayne T. Lee Funeral Service in Columbus, OH. In June 1980, at the age of 26, Wayne built and opened the doors of his first-generation, newly constructed, modern funeral home facility at 1370 East Main Street in Columbus. The business has been noted for beginning the revitalization of the community in this area. In 1995, he established a second funeral home location in Mansfield, OH to further serve families in need. Wayne quickly established himself as a prominent and respected leader in funeral service in the city and region, and was a provider of compassionate, professional, personal yet affordable funeral service, along with his family who served with him and his staff that became like family. The jingle and slogan for his funeral home was “You get respectable service, at Wayne T. Lee”. Wayne (and his staff) dedicated his life to serving and helping countless people through the hardest times of their lives. While conducting business/ministry on East Main Street over the years, he also started Wayne T. Property Management for commercial and residential real estate and then acquired several real estate parcels on both the North and South side of East Main Street surrounding the funeral home; he almost owned most the block, as well as other parcels throughout the city. He went on to open Equal Rite Barber Shop, to provide a place for community barbers to thrive, and he supported his wife in establishing Great Connections Travel, My Floral Boutique and Joyful Beginnings Children’s Learning Academy, LLC. Wayne retired October 2023 from funeral service and sold his real estate property on E. Main Street. Wayne made history as the first African American elected to the board of governors of the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club.

Being both clergyman, entrepreneur and businessman has afforded Pastor Lee a unique opportunity to successfully respond to the community at different levels. His numerous awards include 1989 Black Businessman of the Year; Mayor Dana Rinehart’s Community Service Award; Columbus Dispatch Award for volunteer service, and Outstanding Community Leader Award to name a few.

Wayne’s affiliations past and present include, Ohio Black Expo Committee; Columbus Symphony Orchestra Task Force; sponsor of the Gospel Music Excellence Scholarship Award founded and coordinated by Phillip Locke; trustee of the Eastern Union Bible College; member of the National Baptist Association; Columbus Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Baptist Ministerial Alliance; Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance; member Association of Independent Ministers founded by Dr. I.V. Hilliard; Executive Board member of Pastor’s Partners Interdenominational; co-founder of the CMACAO We Care Project; board member of Respite Group Home; member of the Buckeye State Funeral Directors Association; Central Ohio Funeral Directors Association; Ohio Funeral Directors Association; National Funeral Directors Association, and National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. He also formerly hosted the “Melody In Praise” gospel hour broadcasted on Sunday mornings on WCKX, 106.3 FM. His involvement in these organizations reflects his life-long commitment to serve people and his community.

Pastor Lee’s most significant religious contribution was being a soul winner for Christ. After accepting his call to the ecclesiastical ministry, he was ordained October 1983 by the late Dr. Charles E. Booth while a member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. He became the second Pastor of former Jordan Baptist Church, after being summoned to the bedside of Rev. Spurgeon Warner Austin, where the torch was passed to Rev. Lee to be Austin’s successor. Pastor Lee was accepted by the Jordan congregation preaching his first sermon as Pastor on July 1, 1984, at the church located on Rose Ave., with his wife Wanetta L. Lee and family by his side.

His entrepreneurship, strong business acumen, and real estate portfolio, led him to personally purchase the property at 1825 Woodland Ave and very quickly relocated and grew the Jordan Church. At this time, the Lord led Wayne in the merger of Jordan with Good Faith Baptist Church, then under the late Pastor Cotrell Terry. This was a divine move for both churches to join as one under Pastor Lee’s vision and leadership. In 2001, Pastor Lee led the church expansion and addition of the current office space and sanctuary, adding value to the church real estate, which is literally built on the Word - as concrete was poured over handwritten scriptures from then membership – talk about a firm foundation!

In 2001, Pastor Lee was led by the Spirit to modify the name of the assembly to the Jordan Bible Church as he continued to be wholeheartedly dedicated to the ministry, preaching, bible teaching and carrying out God’s vision for the church, neighborhood and the community until his announced retirement from the pastorate in July 2023. In February 2025, just as the torch was passed to Pastor Lee, he was divinely led, as pre-ordained, to execute the merger, and once again the torch was graciously passed to Pastor Charles E. Newman of the Antioch Baptist Church, forming the new entity Antioch Jordan where Pastor “E” was elevated, honored, esteemed and respected as Pastor Emeritus with 42 years of service, along with wife as First Lady Emerita and family who served faithfully by his side.

With his best friend and devoted wife, Wanetta L. Lee, they together built a wonderful life and family with their three children, Juana, Jason and Brandi; and later, four grandchildren, Hakim “TK”, Brandin, Bryce and Jaide. Wayne was the best cook/grill master, drill sergeant, counselor, confidant, “boss”, and patriarch of our family, and our extended family. He was often found in his favorite spot in the kitchen working on sermons or doing work for the businesses, as well as inspiring family and close friends about their lives, next move, purpose and businesses.

Pastor Lee was a wealth of wisdom and father figure to most, and mentor to many in both family, faith and community, especially sons and daughters of JBC whom he cared for, loved and shepherded over 42 years . Wayne lived his best life and was blessed and privileged to do almost everything he wanted and loved. In his down time, he could be found enjoying boating and relaxing at his lake house “Wayne’s World”, his dogs, fish, big birds, watching TV, riding his motorcycle with his wife (alongside, on her own), riding his lawn mower “toys”, traveling all over the world with family, enjoying many vacations and passport stamps, and especially loved their cruises together (last Cruise Feb 2025).

The life and legacy of Pastor Wayne T. Lee, Jr. will live on in our hearts for years to come. His life is a testament of purpose and God’s plan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne O. T. Lee, Sr. and Evangeline “Jane” (Christopher) Lee Latham; daughter, Brandi N. Holly; grandparents, Herbert Lee, Sr., Cora Lee Shipp, Drayton Theodore and Mattie Forest Christopher; aunts and uncles, Thelma Edwards, Herbert Lee, Jr., William “Billie” Lee, Hugh Robert “Sarg” Lee, Lila Tucker, Dorothy Kelley, Louise Alexander and Stacy Woodford, Sr. ; sister-in-law, Jewell (Theodore) Shelborne; brother-in laws, Johnny Wade and John Moore, as well as other relatives gone before him.

Left to celebrate his life, memory and legacy of love, are his devoted wife and partner Wanetta L. Lee; son, Jason Hawk; daughter, Juana Agnew; grandsons, Hakim “TK” Holly, Jr., Brandin and Bryce Holly (and their father Hakim Holly, Sr); granddaughter, Jaide Agnew; brother, Christopher Latham; sisters-in-law, Francine Moore, Debra (Bishop Stanley V.) Wood, Marsha Wade and Judy Wade; brother-in-law, Calvin (Patty) Wade; aunt, Beverly Woodford; best friend, Pastor Kenneth E. (Yvonne) Brock, god son, Antonio (Tiffaney) Hicks; God-given son, Marcel Reeder; a host of ministers (special mention Minister Sheri Galloway), and many sons and daughters in ministry whom he mentored (you ALL know who you are); members led under his Pastorate at the former Jordan Bible Church; Antioch Jordan Family; host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and special friends.

In his voice, “Wan, Juana, Jason, My boys - “TK”, Brandin and Bryce, and My “baby girl” – Jaide, “YOU’RE DOING GREAT,” “Stay strong, this is what I do”, “I’ve gone to be with the LORD !”.

Services honoring the life and legacy of Pastor Wayne T. Lee, Jr. will be held Tuesday, 9/30/25 at Antioch Jordan, 1825 Woodland Ave. Columbus OH 43219; Public walkthrough & Viewing 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm.; Visitation 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm; Homegoing Celebration 7:00 pm., Pastor Charles E. Newman, Officiant; Pastor Kenneth E. Brock Eulogist.