Wayne Scarboro

Gabby Barrett sang a song called “The Good Ones” and on Saturday, August 20, one of the good ones, Wayne Scarboro, passed away. Wayne did not meet a stranger. If you didn’t know him, you soon would. He loved people, loved to “cut up”, and had the best laugh. He always had a comeback and could match wits with anyone.

Never did you see Wayne in long pants. He had his winter shorts and his summer shorts, which were the same. He never got cold. If you wanted to start a conversation with him, just mention deer hunting, turkey hunting, or fishing. In 2021, he took the family to Texas to deer hunt. In November 2022, he had booked a trip to North Carolina to bear hunt.

Wayne was born in Augusta, but always called Swainsboro his home. He played baseball, but his real love was football. He made varsity in the 9th grade and was voted Best Offensive Lineman in 1968. Wayne was a 1968 graduate of Swainsboro High School and Senior Superlative and attended Middle Georgia College and Georgia Southern University.

In 1979, he married Wanda Thompson. He made her wait five years on him, but she would have married him in five days. Although this is hard to believe, they never had but one argument. You know they say, if you live through a house being built or remodeled, the marriage is solid. Their marriage lasted 42 years. Wanda had already picked out the location for their 50th wedding anniversary. He loved her dearly and would do anything for her.

Together, they had two sons, Scrap and Shot. Life changed, but all for the better. He was so proud of his boys. They are both successful, hard-working men, great husbands to Heather and Caroline, respectively, and good fathers to the grandchildren, Lainey, Leanna, Luke, Cooper, and Cameron. Wayne coached Dixie Youth Baseball for 8 years. He sold insurance for 18 years, but with the arrival of two sons, he changed jobs to be home with his family. He retired as Director of Toombs County DFCS in 2009.

In 2013, his oldest son, Scrap, talked him into opening up a barbecue business in Soperton. Wayne thought maybe for a couple of years because he was “retired”. Nine years later, the business continues to grow and has expanded twice. Wayne brought with him common sense and a genuine love for people. He soon became the “old man” at the front desk.

Wayne was a 4-H volunteer, a member of First Baptist Church of Swainsboro, Yam Grandy Hunting Club, and Georgia National Guard from 1968 until 1975. He never missed a Braves game or watching the Dawgs play.

Mr. Scarboro is preceded in death by his parents, A. D. “Scrap” Scarboro and Minnie Swancey Scarboro; and brother, David Scarboro.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Wayne Scarboro’s honor to Autism Foundation of Georgia or Emanuel County Animal Shelter.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of arrangements.

Wayne Scarboro, age 71, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 24, at First United Methodist Church of Swainsboro with Reverend Jim Harrell and Reverend Mark Sweat officiating. Interment will follow in Swainsboro City Cemetery. Following the interment, the family will gather for a late lunch at Vicki Hooks’ residence in Nunez. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 23, at Chapman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Wall, James Coble, Jeremiah Johnson, Tracy Hooks, Ryan Kersey, Chris Hopkins, Kris Riner, Warren Thompkins, Mike Rowland, Will Wright, and Don Flanders. Honorary Pallbearers will be Duke Newsome, Terry Webb, Jim Sherrod, Henry Terwilliger, Jerry Bedgood, Bill Kennedy, Ardie Wright, Don Wilkes, Richard McNeely, and Swainsboro High School Class of 1968.