Garnie "Wade" Rollins, Sr.

Mr. Garnie “Wade” Rollins, Sr., age 88, passed away at home peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2026, from a stroke that occurred on May 9, 2026. He was born February 17, 1938, in Uvalda, Georgia, although some would argue the year to be 1936 – his sister-in-law “whited out” the year on his birth certificate so that he could join the United States Navy with his brother Walt. Wade grew up in Lyons, Georgia, raised in the farming community there. At 16, he left home to see the world. His service in the Navy ranged from 1955 to 1959. While serving, he married Mary Beth Strawn on April 6, 1957. Afterwards, he entered seminary to eventually pastor multiple churches from Oklahoma to Georgia, while raising 3 boys. After retiring from ministry, he drove 18-wheelers for several years before he moved into Air Products and Chemicals as their safety director. It was during this time that his sweet bride became sick and required both a liver and kidney transplant. He never left her side. Following that, the Rollins family ventured into the trucking business and Wade served as CEO. Later, he retired to take care of his wife until she went to be with the Lord in 2017, after 60 years of marriage.

Wade loved the Lord and spent several years researching, writing, recording, and publishing a comprehensive study of the book of Revelation, an accomplishment he was very proud of.

He enjoyed his family, westerns on TV, working in the yard, and his dog Star (not always in that order). He took pride in being able to share his knowledge about a lot of things whenever one of his children or grandchildren asked, and he could fix just about anything.

He is preceded in death by both parents, his wife, all but one of his brothers and sisters and a grandson.

He is survived by his brother, Walt; three sons, Wade, Jr. (Celeste), Mitch (Kris) and Mike (Renee); eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon, June 6th, at 1:00 at South Thompson Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Dannie Williams officiating.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

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