Jane Wayland

Jane Puckett Wayland of Cornelius died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Presbyterian Hospital. A native of Mecklenburg County’s Long Creek community, she was married to the Rev. J.E. Wayland Jr., with whom she spent nearly a half-century serving congregations in north Mecklenburg. A service in her memory is planned Tuesday. Details below.

She was born in Charlotte, on Jan. 27, 1928, to the late Eugene and Janie Mae Puckett. She grew up in the Long Creek community and attended Queens College. She was a member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. On June 5th, 1948, she married John E. (Didi) Wayland, Jr. and they moved to Decatur, Ga., while Didi attended seminary.

In 1951, Jane and Didi came to Cornelius to minister to the Cornelius Presbyterian Church and Bethel Presbyterian Church. They spent 47 years sharing their faith and love with everyone in the North Mecklenburg community. Jane showed her love for people with her involvement in programs of the church and community. God’s spirit was evident in Jane’s life by the way she showed compassion, caring, patience, tolerance, love and forgiveness. She had a special passion for children and was always teaching, caring, and sharing her faith by example.

Jane was active in Bible Study and deeply enjoyed study and challenging herself and others with life lessons from the teaching of Christ. She enjoyed gardening and was one of the founding members of the Cornelius Garden Club back in the 1950′s. Flowers and plants always thrived under her care and green thumb.

She is survived by her husband, the Rev. JE Wayland Jr., and children Ed Wayland and his wife, Ann their son, Tyler and his wife Kendall, and their daughter, Alysa; Jane Ayers and husband Jack and children, John, Corie and her husband Marc, David, and James and his wife Martine; Tim Wayland and Carole Hughes; her brothers; Eugene Mack Puckett and his wife Bobbie; and James D. Puckett.

Jane was loved by so many people and will be missed by all who knew her.

There will be a celebration of Jane’s life at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cornelius, NC. Visitation will follow the service in the sanctuary.

Memorials may be made to the Joshua Taylor Education Fund, c/o Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 10500 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville, NC 28078.

Arrangements are in the care of Raymer Funeral Home.