Rev. Roy Marcus Wingard of Jackson, MS, passed into the arms of Jesus at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, January 23, 2022, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He was 62 years old. He was born September 23, 1959, to the late James and Bonnie Wingard in Elmore, AL.
“Roy was in the hospital/rehab facilities since August 5, 2021. After 6 months of multiple surgeries and fighting daily to get well, he became tired and weary. Two weeks ago, a massive stroke took the fight out of him as pneumonia set in. God chose that sweet peaceful Sunday morning to open Heaven’s gates as he called Roy to come to him. On Sunday it was freezing and clear as the sun came up and the big bucks were stirring in the woods. It was a perfect morning for Roy to get up early…and get up is exactly what he did. My sweet man rose up out of that paralyzed, worn-out body and stepped into his eternity with the King of Kings.”
Roy is the father to nine children and “Pops” to hundreds of custody children. His ministry partner was his wife, Charlotte. Through Wingard Home Ministry, the non-profit that they founded and directed, he has touched more lives for Christ than he could ever count.
The family held a celebration of Roy’s life at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Cornerstone Church in Pearl, Mississippi. Roy lived out loud, loved big, and reveled in praise and worship with his guitar always ready. He was passionate about his University of Alabama football frequently evidenced by his mantra, “Roll Tide!” Roy loved to fish and hunt with gun and bow. He used all his activities as a staging area for evangelistic opportunities. His verse of prayer was Psalm 51: 10-15
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” (KJV)
Along with his parents, Roy was also preceded in death by his sisters, Debria Owens and Rebecca Wingard. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Charlotte Wingard of Jackson; his children, Amanda (Michael) Gaudiuso of Boothwyn, PA, Cynthia Wingard of West Blocton, AL, Clay Wingard of Kennesaw, GA, Timothy (Rachel) Savage of Brandon, Roy Marcus (Meagan) Wingard II of Utica, MS, John Israel (Monica) Wingard of Union, MS, Rebekah Wingard of Jackson, MS, Hannah Wingard of Jackson, MS, and Rachael Wingard of Jackson, MS; 16 grandchildren, his siblings, Sheila Peterson of Centerville, AL, James Wingard of Jackson, MS, Perry (Penny) Wingard of Bethlehem, GA, Terry (Clifford) Hughes of Hahira, GA, and April (Bobby) Burleson of Calera, AL.
“Roy was in the hospital/rehab facilities since August 5, 2021. After 6 months of multiple surgeries and fighting daily to get well, he became tired and weary. Two weeks ago, a massive stroke took the fight out of him as pneumonia set in. God chose that sweet peaceful Sunday morning to open Heaven’s gates as he called Roy to come to him. On Sunday it was freezing and clear as the sun came up and the big bucks were stirring in the woods. It was a perfect morning for Roy to get up early…and get up is exactly what he did. My sweet man rose up out of that paralyzed, worn-out body and stepped into his eternity with the King of Kings.”
Roy is the father to nine children and “Pops” to hundreds of custody children. His ministry partner was his wife, Charlotte. Through Wingard Home Ministry, the non-profit that they founded and directed, he has touched more lives for Christ than he could ever count.
The family held a celebration of Roy’s life at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Cornerstone Church in Pearl, Mississippi. Roy lived out loud, loved big, and reveled in praise and worship with his guitar always ready. He was passionate about his University of Alabama football frequently evidenced by his mantra, “Roll Tide!” Roy loved to fish and hunt with gun and bow. He used all his activities as a staging area for evangelistic opportunities. His verse of prayer was Psalm 51: 10-15
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” (KJV)
Along with his parents, Roy was also preceded in death by his sisters, Debria Owens and Rebecca Wingard. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Charlotte Wingard of Jackson; his children, Amanda (Michael) Gaudiuso of Boothwyn, PA, Cynthia Wingard of West Blocton, AL, Clay Wingard of Kennesaw, GA, Timothy (Rachel) Savage of Brandon, Roy Marcus (Meagan) Wingard II of Utica, MS, John Israel (Monica) Wingard of Union, MS, Rebekah Wingard of Jackson, MS, Hannah Wingard of Jackson, MS, and Rachael Wingard of Jackson, MS; 16 grandchildren, his siblings, Sheila Peterson of Centerville, AL, James Wingard of Jackson, MS, Perry (Penny) Wingard of Bethlehem, GA, Terry (Clifford) Hughes of Hahira, GA, and April (Bobby) Burleson of Calera, AL.
I will always love and you miss you Dad!
My darlin’ it has been two months since we parted and my heart is broken still. I have what seems a lifetime of memories and adventures with you…never boring and always a challenge. One thing we never did was rest, so I am rejoicing that you are resting in the presence of the King now. I will join you soon and until then, I will continue the good work we began together here. I love you, forever, Roy Wingard.
This was a shock to me when I saw that Mr. Roy had passed. I remember when he came to Victory Worship Center in Pearl which was pastored by Reverend Harold Schmidt at the time however it is now Church of the Vine pastored by Revered Wayne Redden. I remember coming over to the house and working with Reverend Bob Bailey this is all back in the day so I may be taking you on a trip down memory lane!!! I loved to hear Brother Roy play his guitar and sing it was always wonderful to be around him because you could feel the Love of Jesus radiating off of him because he was so covered in the love and joy of the Lord…. Mrs. Charlotte you know that I am thinking about you I know this is a tough thing to go through and I know that the Lord has put his Grace to shine upon you and he covers you in comfort and he will provide each and every need you have!!!! Please know that Brother Roy is and will be truly missed he causes the angels to rejoice in praise with his enthusiastic way he loves to sing and praise God I can just see him now praising God right now!!!! We love you all and will 🙏 be praying for you all!!! I will definitely be coming to see you when I can I am currently down right now but I will see you soon I promise !!!!😥😥😢 but we are to have joy after mourning!!! ☺️🙂😃😁🥰❤️