Mr. Littleton H. Wade

The season of earthly life for Littleton Hiawatha Wade came to a close on Sunday June 23, 2019 at a local hospital. He entered into eternity surrounded by the loving presence of his family. He was preceded in death by his wife Sadie C. Wade, sons, Barry O. Wade and Roy Little and Ricky Crowder; parents M.D. and Hurley Wade, and siblings: Ulysses Sr., Travis Sr. Bobby, Herbert, Pauline, and John. Growing up in a large family he had many stories of hard work on the farm and mischief with his brothers and sisters. The Wade family really didn’t need outside entertainment because they loved being together laughing and telling endless stories about the origin of family nicknames! A favorite memory for Littleton was the taste of his mother’s strawberry cake. As a young man growing up in rural West Tennessee he had a dream, an almost impossible dream at the time, to study science. He often talked about his first time riding the bus to Nashville with one small suitcase and a few dollars in his pocket to enter Tennessee State University. As an undergraduate student he pledged Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and made the Dean’s list many times as a result of exceptional grades. He was fascinated with learning and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. A hard worker and good student; he furthered his education by pursing a Master’s degree in chemistry. He served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1953 – 1957 stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. Upon returning from military service he worked in the Department of Pharmacology at Meharry Medical College. During his 30 year tenure teaching medical students he also presented and co-published many scientific papers. He was described in a local newspaper article as “brilliant but humble” in the laboratory. He ended his working career at the Alvin C. York VA in Murfreesboro, TN. He enjoyed working in the laboratory and sometimes, during the summer, took a grandson to the lab and explained the inner workings of the various machines and types of experiments. He was simply finding something for a grandson to do! That grandson is now a fourth year PhD student in pharmacology at Vanderbilt University. His beloved Baker’s Chapel CME Church was a second home. Even when the church services were held at various area churches after a devastating tornado leveled the Baker’s Chapel Church building he held fast to the belief that God would see fit that the church wouldn’t die. For seven years, until the completion of the beautiful new structure he attended the church services wherever they were held, never tiring of the different locations, driving 20 miles one way from his home in Brentwood every Sunday. When the three crosses went up on the edifice of the church he talked about those three crosses for weeks! He loved the people of Baker’s Chapel CME church – he said they embraced him as a young man and he never left. He spoke often and lovingly of church members like “Mama Mattie” and others. Baker’s Chapel Church really fed his spirit (and often his stomach). He served enthusiastically as Superintendent of the Sunday School at Baker’s Chapel Church for over 50 years. A couple of years ago he even joined the choir! If anything was happening at the church he wanted to be there. Recently, he found great pleasure from the fellowship with the Kingdom Men Group. He loved his grandchildren and would stop at nothing to support and encourage them. He found anything they participated in enjoyable. He loved watching one grandson play football. He loved being called granddaddy. His grandchildren and later, great grandchildren, were the smile of his life. He received many awards throughout his life. He was especially honored to be recognized by the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County for serving 10 years on the Williamson County Planning Commission. He will be so missed by family and friends. He leaves cherished memories, daughters LaFranca Wade of Kingstowne, VA, Linda Wade-McClinton of Oak Park, IL, and Trevor Crowder of Nashville, TN; grandchildren Brittney Wade, Brandon Wade, Breana Wade, David Crowder, Mark Crowder, Carlos Perry and Makesha Flournoy, five great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law: Cynthia Howard Little of Jackson, Tn., sister Joyce (Murlyn) Cole of Dyersburg, TN and brother M.D. (Mae) Wade, Jr., sisters-in-law Virginia Wade and Alberta Wade of Alamo, TN, Mary B. Walker and Eleanor Bright of Brentwood, TN, Numerous other nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins, the entire Baker’s Chapel CME Church congregation. Lifelong friend William Carter and good friend Paul Corley.

Mr. Littleton H. Wade

November 22, 1933 - June 23, 2019