Donald Cornelius Wade, son of the late Clarence W. and Roberta Silver Wade, was born January 25, 1955 in Halifax County, North Carolina. He departed this life on Monday, January 12, 2009 at Arborn Nursing Home in Canton, Ohio after a lengthy illness.

Donald joined Smith Chapel Church at an early age and remained a faithful member until the end. He attended Halifax County Public Schools and graduated from Scotland Neck High School. He then served his country for ten years in the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy, Donald met the love of his life, Louise McCray.

Donald and Louise were married on February 29, 1976 and to this union were born a son and a daughter.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife: Louise; a daughter: Elizabeth Nicole Perez (Julian), both of Madera, CA; a son: Adam Cedric Wade (Lindsay) of Tacoma, WA; three brothers: John Belbert Wade (Margaret) of Charleston, SC, Stanley Eric Wade (Sabrina) of Sicklerville, NJ, and Clarence Wade, Jr. (Velma) of Enfield, NC; three granddaughters: Evelyn Isabella Perez, Leyla Janaya Perez and Chloe Madison Wade; and a host of other relatives and friends.