Orville Wayne Popham, age 87, of Clarkesville, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at his residence following an extended illness.
Wayne was born in Habersham County on December 02, 1935, to the late Arvil William & Mary Vinnlee Popham. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Carol Lovell Popham; granddaughter, Kennedy Ruthann Wright; sisters, Bobbie Popham Wright and Joyce Popham White.
Wayne was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He worked in the grocery store business for several years, owning a store of his own, Wayne’s Grocery, in the 1960s. He then followed in his father’s footsteps as a painter, retiring from Habersham Mills in 1997 and from Piedmont College in 2010. One of his most prized possessions was his 1940 Ford Deluxe, given to him by his father when he was 16 years old. He kept this car for over 50 years and sold it to his nephew to be restored. Another highlight for Wayne was trying out for the Atlanta Crackers with his best friend, Maxie Skinner when they were teenagers. They made it to the final cut, and both chose their sweethearts at home over baseball.
Survivors include his children & their spouses, Lynn & Tommy Anderson of Gainesville; Leesa & Jeff Anderson of Clarkesville; Greg & Sue Popham of Commerce; Leslie Popham of Clarkesville; Leah & Garrett Misencik of Clarkesville. He was blessed with numerous grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, as well as lots of nieces and nephews.
A homegoing service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Hillside Memorial Chapel in Clarkesville, with Rev. Jody Anderson, Rev. Kenneth McEntire, & Rev. Tony Goss officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Chip Cranford officiating at the graveside.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Flowers are accepted, or memorials may be made to Habersham Senior Center, 217 Scoggins Drive, Demorest, GA. 30535.
An online guest registry is available for the Popham family at www.HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements are in the care & professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens of Clarkesville, Georgia. (706) 754-6256
