Johnnie Lee Wade aka "Gator," was born August 15, 1939, in Saint George, South Carolina. He entered eternal rest on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at the Colleton Medical Center.

Johnnie Lee was the son of the late Jennie Mae Ladson Kirkland and the late Mortimo Wade.  He was reared by his uncle William Bill Utsey, and grandparents, Channy and Jake Wade.   In 1967, Johnnie Lee was united in Holy Matrimony to Deaconess Ebenezer Wade in Dorchester County.

Johnnie Lee graduated from Williams Memorial High School in 1958. He was inducted as a member of the United States Army on March 15, 1963 and discharged honorably March 12, 1965. He was a machine fabric operator for many years in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  Johnnie Lee was an avid baseball player. He was a lover of commodities which he shared willingly with members of our community. There was never a dull moment whenever he was around because of his jovial personality.  He took delight in challenging his peers and family on different issues that would arise.

Johnnie Lee was preceded in death by his father, Mortimo Wade; his mother, Jennie Mae Ladson Kirkland; his sister, Deloris Wade, and grandparents, Channy and Jake Wade. Memories of his spirit will live on through his loving and devoted wife, Deaconess Ebenezer Murray Wade, Grover, South Carolina; sister, Victoria Davis, Brooklyn, New York; sister-in-law, Bertha Salley, Walterboro, South Carolina; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.