Obituary of Wayne Crosby

Wayne McCoy Crosby, Sr. passed away peacefully holding the hands of his wife and son early in the morning of April 13, 2023.

Born March 16, 1942, in Beaufort, South Carolina, son of Gaddie and Marie Crosby, he married Louise (Epps) Crosby on January 17, 1964, in Columbia, South Carolina and welcomed their only child, Coy Crosby on August 9, 1966.

He was an active member of the LDS Church and held several positions throughout the years with a beautiful smile and a huge heart. He loved unconditionally and lived to bring people unto Christ by example.

He served four years in the First Cavalry of the United States Army in Korea and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He loved to drive large vehicles and was retired from South Carolina Electric and Gas where he started as a Bus Driver and ended his career as a Street Supervisor.

Through the years, he was involved in the community and especially loved coaching youth baseball and football in the Rosewood area of Columbia. So many of his former players remember him as a soft spoken, gentle giant. He was also very active in the Dreher High School Athletic Booster Club where he served as President in 1983-84.

Of all his many accomplishments in this life, he considered his family the greatest of all. He was always in attendance at sporting events, recitals, pageants, births, birthday parties, graduations, weddings and times of need.

He walked hand in hand in love with his Eternal Companion, Louise Crosby, for fifty-nine years and experienced many great adventures to include numerous trips to the beach and mountains; with a trip to Hawaii in 1981 being a favorite memory.

He lovingly supported his only child, Coy, as he pursued his hopes and dreams and extended that love and support to his granddaughters, Lauren Beesley and Sydney Crosby, as well as his Great Granddaughter, Elena Beesley. In his later years, health issues limited his ability to travel, but he explored the world as he sat and listened to every detail of their accomplishments and adventures. You could always see the joy of these moments sparkling in his eyes.

After retiring, he spent many hours cooking and baking for his loved ones. Over those years, he became well known for his culinary skills and if you ever received one of his cakes, pies, puddings or cobblers, your taste buds are smiling as you read this now.

He shared a special relationship with his wife’s mother, Gertrude Epps, who he called Momma. He provided care for her during the day, while his wife Louise went to work. He prepared her meals and sat by her side watching television programs, solving puzzles and passing the time talking. He loved her as he loved his own mother, Marie.

He loved watching Old Cowboy movies; many of which he had seen in the theatre for “less than a quarter” as he would often say. He also loved his University of South Carolina Gamecocks and attended or watched as many games as possible. One of his greatest memories was of being on the field at Williams-Brice Stadium before the game with his granddaughter, Lauren, as the Gamecocks entered to 2001 and the Fight Song.

He was, and always will be, a “Gentle Giant”, who left huge footprints of love for his family to follow.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the outpouring of love from family, members of the church, neighbors, and the community.

Survived by his Eternal Companion, Louise Crosby; son, Coy Crosby (Shawnee); Grandchildren, Lauren (Nick) Beesley and Sydney Crosby; Great Grandchild, Elena Beesley; Brother, Randell (Jane) Crosby; Sister, Judy (Billy) Williams.

Preceded in death by his parents, Gaddie and Marie Crosby and Gertrude Epps; Brother, Alvin Crosby; and Niece, Sonya Williams LeBaron.

Friends and Family are invited to visit Monday, April 17, 2023 from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm at the LDS Columbia Ward, 4400 Fort Jackson Blvd. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00.

The interment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens on Leesburg Road at 3:30 pm.