Wayne Petrea, 89, of Kannapolis, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022.
He was born Oct. 16, 1932, in Cabarrus County, son of the late C. McNeil Petrea and Forrest Hoppers Petrea.
Wayne retired from First Bank in Kannapolis in 1997, after spending over 40 years in the banking industry where he was a commercial loan officer and vice president. He began his banking career at Security Bank in 1954 and later joined Cabarrus Bank and Trust Company in 1961.
Wayne was an active member of Bethpage Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis, where he faithfully served as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher and church member. He met his wife Berlene Tucker Petrea as a teenager at Bethpage. They were married at the church in 1951, and celebrated 56 years together before Berlene’s death in 2008.
Wayne graduated from J.W. Cannon High School in 1950, attended Davidson College, and received certifications from several banking programs.
Wayne contributed to his community as a member of the Kannapolis Rotary Club and the Allen Graham Masonic Lodge.
His family fondly remembers him as a devoted husband, loving father, doting grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. Wayne loved to talk and never met a stranger.
In addition to his wife Berlene, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Anita Riggsbee, Mary Goolsby McKnight and Betty Kornowski; and his brother, C. McNeil (Macky) Petrea Jr.
Surviving are his sister, Patty Lee; three daughters, Deborah Nesbitt and husband, Terry, Beverly Bates and husband, Tony, and Kathy Smart and husband, Gregg; one son, Michael W. Petrea; eight grandchildren, Sarah, Jake, Caroline, Will, Emily, Alexandra, Michael and Olivia; and one great-grandchild, Hannah. Wayne is also survived by many wonderful nieces, nephews, and his dear friend, Nancy Cline, who brought much joy to the later years of his life.
The family wishes to thank the staff and administration of Best of Care Assisted Living for their care and kindness and the hospice staff for their support and guidance. The family will be forever thankful to his caretaker, Kristen, for the loving care she provided to him at his home in Kannapolis.
A visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 30, from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall at Bethpage Presbyterian Church, 6020 Mooresville Rd., in Kannapolis. A service of remembrance will follow at 12 p.m., in the sanctuary, officiated by the Rev. Valerie Hicks. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethpage Presbyterian Church, 6020 Mooresville Rd., Kannapolis, NC 28081.
Whitley’s Funeral Home
www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Published by Concord & Kannapolis Independent Tribune on Jan. 28, 2022.