Wayne Ruppe

Gaffney, SC - - Wayne Morris Ruppe, 83, died December 7, 2024, after an 18-year, courageous battle with cancer. Born to the late Jacob Cecil and Sallie Keeter Ruppe of Gaffney, Wayne is survived by his wife, Brenda Oakes Ruppe and was first married to the late Betty Williams Ruppe.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Lisa Ruppe Brumley (Steve); step-son, Jeremy Rice (Amanda) and step-daughter, Vicki Lynn (Sammy); grandchildren, including Cody Dixon, Bett and Sally Brumley, Mahala, Elizabeth, and Jacob Rice, Jennifer Brumley Ratliff, and Kim Brumley Hand; and a sister, Judy Ruppe Bright (Lee).

Wayne was raised in the Cherokee Creek area with his beloved family and never forgot his roots there. Even though he lived in the city most of his adult life, "the country" was still home and he cherished his mother and siblings who remained there for their lifetime. His brothers, Marshall, Ned, and Henry, all preceded him in death.

Wayne was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Sonja Kay Ruppe, September 14, 1990. We can only imagine the reunion they are experiencing in Heaven.

He served his country in the US Navy for 32 years with 28 of those years being in the Naval Reserves. He was a proud Patriot of our Country who lived to serve others. Wayne retired from Duke Power Cliffside after working there 32 years.

He was an active member of Kirby Memorial Baptist Church for over fifty years where he currently still served as a deacon. One of his favorite acts of service was serving with the Jerusalem Project every year. He also supported foreign missions and traveled to Guatemala to serve when he was able to go. He served others daily and lived by example for all to follow. Wayne loved his family and spending time with them around the table and in his work shop, and while fishing and traveling.

He absolutely loved camping at the beach and surf-fishing alongside of his family and friends. He made friends from all over the country that he and Brenda loved spending their fall seasons with at North Myrtle Beach Travel Park.

The family would like to thank Dr. Tondre Buck, Dr. Michael Humeniuk, and Spartanburg Regional Hospice for their wonderful care during Wayne's courageous battle with cancer.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 13 at Kirby Memorial Baptist Church from 12:00PM until 1:45PM with services following at 2:00PM. Burial will follow at Frederick Memorial Gardens with full military rites. Pallbearers will be BJ Rogers, Brian Bolin, Randy Horton, Jacob Rice, Cody Dixon, Todd White, David Toney, and Keefer Humphries. Honorary Pallbearers will be current and former deacons of Kirby Memorial Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Kirby Memorial Baptist Church College Ministry, 512 Chandler Drive, Gaffney, SC 29341 or Spartanburg Regional Hospice Care, P.O. Box 430, Drayton, SC 29333.

The family will be at the residence.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC