Anthony "Wayne" Augustine

Funeral services for Anthony “Wayne” Augustine of Gilbert will be conducted on Saturday, November 15 at Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Historic Batesburg-Leesville Chapel with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and his service will be held at 11 a.m.  Pastor Laura Parrish of Beulah Methodist Church of Gilbert will conduct the funeral service.

Early Sunday morning on November 9, 2025, Wayne passed away at home with his wife Valerie by his side holding his hand.  With a serene look in his eyes, he turned to Valerie as he drew his last breath. Wayne’s life’s journey on earth ended and he then began his heavenly eternal life with the Lord.  Wayne was a life-long resident of South Carolina. He grew up in West Columbia and is a 1965 graduate of BC High School. While attending high school Wayne played a trumpet in the BC High School Band.  After graduating from BC High School, he applied to The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was accepted in 1965.

Wayne earned a B.S. in Business Administration from The Citadel in 1969.  Wayne thoroughly enjoyed his years attending the Citadel. He joined the Summerall Guards, he was a Drum Major for the Regimental Band and a member of Alpha Phi Omega and a Cadet 1st Lt.  Wayne made lasting friendships and enjoyed his time at the Citadel. After graduating in 1969, Wayne eagerly anticipated returning to the Citadel each year for football season. He loved to tell his friends that he attended every home Citadel Football game except for the years he served in the U.S. Army Artillery in Texas.

After leaving the army, Wayne returned to South Carolina with two horses he bought in Texas. Wayne resided briefly with his mother, Elle Augustine, in West Columbia before relocating to Gilbert, where he lived on Lake Murray.

Wayne soon began his career in insurance, focusing on policy management and insurance software systems. He worked for several companies which included: Church Mutual Insurance Co. Inc., Mynd Corporation, Mill Mutuals, Protective Life Insurance Co. and The Conniffe Company. 

Wayne became a Mason and a Shriner in the early 1970s. He is a member of Jamil Shrine Temple, and a Master Mason member with the York Rite Sinclair Lodge 154. Wayne met his future wife, Valerie, during the 1980s, and they married on August 22, 1987. After their marriage they began their life together living on Lake Murray.  Wayne and Valerie “Val” were always active with volunteering with the Jamil Shriners. Wayne liked working annually with the Jamil Shrine Hanneford Circus. Val volunteered every year and continued helping even after Wayne became ill and was unable to do so. Every year, they attended football games at the Citadel and usually spent an extra day sightseeing in Charleston before returning home. Wayne and Val also enjoyed taking vacations to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee each year. They especially enjoyed riding the Smokey Mountain train ride in autumn when the leaves changed color. Wayne and Val became members of Lake Murray Baptist Church shortly after their marriage. While attending LMBC they worked with the annual “This Man Called Jesus” Christmas pageant. 

Wayne Augustine is survived by his wife Valerie Augustine. Brother-in-law Jim Davis of Batesburg-Leesville, nephew Mark Davis of Batesburg-Leesville, nephew Shane Davis of Batesburg-Leesville, niece Leslie Davis Gibson of Chapin, Tiffany Dennis Lancaster of Tybee Island, Georgia and Keith Dennis of Savannah, Georgia. He is survived by several great nieces and nephews.

Wayne was predeceased by his father, John Lester Augustine and his mother Elle Augustine, sister Jackie Augustine Davis, and sister Sandy Augustine Dennis.

A Military burial service will be held at Fort Jackson on November 18 at 11 a.m. Masonic Last Rites will be conducted by Past District Deputy Grand Master 8th Masonic District, Edward E. Smith, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC  29605.

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