The Shadow
Jerry Wayland Mansfield
The Journey
Jerry Wayland Mansfield was born on July 28, 1933, in Clifton Forge, Virginia to the Late Jerry Wayland Mansfield and the Late Esther Stevens Mansfield. He Transitioned into eternity on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. He was the first of four children.
Wayland, as many fondly called him, accepted Christ, the Messiah at an early age, under the leadership the Late Reverend A. A. Womack at Main Street Baptist Church, Clifton Forge. He was a Junior Deacon and attended regularly with his family.
He attended Jefferson High School and sang in the school chorus. They won many awards for their talent. He graduated from Jefferson High School as Valedictorian and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Union University, Richmond VA. While there he was inducted into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He furthered his studies at North Carolina Central University, where he studied in Graduate School in Durham, North Carolina.
He later moved to New York, married and had one daughter, Medina Louise, and two sons, Jerry Wayland, III and John Christopher. He then began his career as a Social Worker. He retired from the city of New York as Supervisor of the Welfare Department, where he worked for approximately 40 years. After completing his career in New York, he moved back home to Clifton Forge.
After returning home, Wayland became a volunteer in the Senior Citizens Program. He loved helping others and giving to worthy causes. He would often encourage young people to set and achieve their goals in life.
Wayland loved his hometown and the folks in it. He was a thinker and an intellectual. He loved sports and he loved to read. Because he was such an humble man, you would never know until you spoke with him, how bright and intelligent he was. He would read the entire New York Times Newspaper along with completing the crossword puzzles every day. Later in life, he also began reading the Washington Post as well. He was a chess player and acquired an enormous library of books containing many varied subjects. No one was a stranger to Wayland. He would always greet you with a smile. Though he didn’t like nonsense and had little patience for foolishness, he enjoyed his family and friends throughout his life. He will be greatly missed by all who know him.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister, Louise Mansfield, his sons, Jerry Wayland, III and John Christopher; his first wife The Late Lucille Crocker Mansfield; and his second wife, The Late Helen Sledge Mansfield; and his Stepson, Bradley C. White; Wayland leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife, June Elizabeth White Mansfield; his daughter, Medina Louise Mansfield, FL; his brother, The Reverend W. Ed Mansfield (Shirley); his sister, Apostle Medina Marble; his Stepdaughters: LaTasha T. Wallace (Reginald); Tara T. Roland (Tony); Dana T. Davenport (Wayne); his step granddaughter, Michelle; his Stepson, Larry G. White, (Stephanie), Germany; his Stepdaughters: Melaniee W. Reed; Karen W. Pierce; Vicki W. Pleasant (Thomas); Special family members: Agnes S. Berry (Aunt-FL); Audrey J. Guy (1st cousin-Hampton); Roland Sterns (1st cousin-MD); and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many relatives and friends.
The family of the Late Jerry Wayland Mansfield would like to extend heartfelt appreciation for the many prayers, acts of kindness and love expressed to us during the illness and passing of our loved one.
In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service to honor Wayland will be conducted on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with the Reverend Medina Marble and the Reverend W. Ed Mansfield officiating. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday afternoon from 12:00 Noon until the time of service at Nicely Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central & Western Virginia Chapter in Charlottesville, VA or online at www.alz.org
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com
