Elder Jerry “Wayne” Leach was born on September 28, 1958, to the late Carnell William Leach and Mary Katherine Moss Leach in Mooresville, N.C. He departed this earthly life on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at his home in Statesville, N.C.

Wayne received his formal education in Rowan County Schools and after went to work at Fieldcrest-Cannon for many years. His last employer before his decline in health was TSCO in Statesville, where he worked as a machinist.

He was mentored spiritually during his early years by the late Bishop K.E.V Brown at Mt. Moriah Holiness Church in Mooresville. Later in life, he continued his spiritual growth alongside his wife at the Empowerment Center in Mooresville, where he was ordained as an Elder and she was ordained as Pastor.

After being together for 15 years, he and Pastor Angela were united in holy matrimony on March 6, 2009. Their union merged four children, two daughters, Kenya Wade and Bernisha Cunningham, and two sons, Justin and Chazman Houston. They shared a blessed 30 years together before God called him home.

In addition to his parents, Carnell William Leach and Mary Katherine Moss Leach, Wayne was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Leach, and his brother, Robert Leach.

Those who remain to cherish the memory of his life include his wife, Pastor Angela R. Leach of the home; daughters, Kenya Wade and Bernisha Cunningham, both of Kannapolis, N.C.; sons, Justin and Chazman Houston, both of Statesville; two brothers, John Leach (Cassandra) of Lincolnton, N.C., and David Leach of Troutman, N.C.; one sister, Evangelist Willie Mae (Bishop Gene) Roseman of Salisbury, N.C.; father-in-love, Bishop Robert M. Redfear Sr. (Judy), and mother-in-love, Mrs. Linda Harper, both of Statesville; sisters-in-love, Prophetess Linda Michelle Redfear Grissom (Tomaso) of Mooresville, Arlette Johnson, Linda Cason (Steve), and Doreen Barber, all of Alexandria, Va., and Keisha (Tristian) Martin of Winston-Salem, N.C.; brothers-in-love, Robert M. Redfear Jr. and Donzel (Lisa) Harper, both of Statesville, and Jamal Pinkney of Wilkesboro, N.C.; goddaughter and niece, Evangelist Sylvia R. (Elder Norman) Goodes of Salisbury, and De’Borah (David) Garrett of the home; and grandchildren, Camdyn Houston, Faithful Chambers, Ty McClelland, Kaheem Parker, Raedeyence Krofta, JaRayah London Thomason, Dorrell Mills, Jeremiah Houston, Malachi Houston, Tori Houston, Justin Houston Jr., Ayden Houston, Austin Houston, and Carsyn Stevenson. He was also blessed with god grandchildren, Khadijah and Kendrell Goodes, Rashaun Bush, Ishmel Garrett, Zyere Garrett, Aleysia Simmons, and Divine Garrett, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces, great nephews, family, and friends.

Rutledge & Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family.