Mr. Wayne Sterling Secrest, 90, of Rutherford College, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, at College Pines Nursing Center, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Secrest was born January 9, 1933, in Burke County, a son of the late Eva Secrest.  He retired after 44 years of service as the Lead Man in the finishing room of Drexel Furniture Co.  Wayne served his country as a veteran of the US Army and was a member of Cross Link Church.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his wife, Charleen Robinson Secrest.

Surviving, are, his daughter, Donna Secrest Lail and husband, Joel of Rutherford College and two brothers, William Secrest of Drexel and Jimmy Cheek of Burlington.  Also surviving are the apples of his eye, his grandchildren, Jamie Welsh (Tyler) of Austin, Arkansas, Charlie Lail (Becca) of Burlington,  Brooklyn Lail of Rutherford College and four great-grandchildren, Reagan Welsh, Britley Welsh, Emmalyn Lail and Declan Lail.

Funeral Services for Wayne  Secrest will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday January 2, 2024 in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service, with Rev. Mark Smith and David Berry officiating.  Interment will follow in the Burke Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2:00 PM Tuesday at Heritage Funeral Service.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Harmony United Methodist Church.

An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.