Sept. 8, 1953 — May 1, 2015

Linnie Joe Wade departed this life on Friday, May 1, 2015, in the Florida Hospital Neuro/Critical Care Unit. She was 61 years old. Linnie, a lifelong resident of Buchanan, Michigan, was born on Sept. 8, 1953, in Berrien Center, Michigan. She was the second oldest child of Gladys and Robert Thames.

Linnie was previously married to the late Richard Wade, Sr. and their union produced three children. Linnie leaves to cherish her memory and lament her passing, her son Richard Wade, Jr. (Clizia) of Detroit; daughter, Lynn Wade of Niles; four grandchildren: Richard Wade III, Xavier Wade, Joshua Wade and Ananda Lewis; sisters and brothers: Luetta Devrouax (Willie) of Warrenton, Missouri; Robert Thames Jr., of Warrenton, Missouri; Charles Thames (Dee) of Warrenton, Missouri; Carlene Wilkes, of Sparta, Illinois; Roberta Walson of Belleville, Illinois, Ruth Haniff of Orlando, Florida; Priscilla Curtis (Anthony) of Chicago, Illinois; and her loving fiancé, Eric Evans of Vandalia, Michigan. Linnie also leaves a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. She was proceeded in death by her mother, Gladys Thames, her father Robert Thames, her brother, John Thames and her daughter, Rene Wade.

Linnie was a devoted and active member of Greater St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana.

A graduate of Bethel College, Linnie was a public servant with the Michigan Department of Human Services for 25 years, prior to retiring in January of 2015. She served the last eight of those years as a manager with the Van Buren County Department of Human Services. In addition to her duties with the State of Michigan, Linnie served in many other areas and community programs. Furthermore, Linnie’s roles in life were not limited to, but included being a former Vice President of Community Outreach Programs with the United Way in South Bend, working at Unity Hospital in Buchanan, and Pawating Hospital in Niles.

The funeral service for Mrs. Wade is at 11 a.m. Friday, at Greater St. John M.B. Church 101 N. Adams St. South Bend with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Cobb Funeral Home 3525 S. Michigan St. South Bend.

Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery, Buchanan Michigan.