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“Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend” (Proverbs 27:10).

Last week, I received news that Kenneth Wayne Morrow had died. He died on New Year’s Day. And began to experience everlasting life in a new way, with his spirit in the presence of the Risen Lord!

Wayne, as he was known to us, was my Dad’s friend. And I mean that. His loyal loving friendship to my Dad over many decades made a deep impression upon me. Perhaps because Dad really didn’t have many friends like that. Dad was, after all, a pastor and preacher. And although it’s not popular to say, preachers of God’s truth are typically short on real friends (especially friends who are not themselves pastors). 

Although my Dad only pastored Wayne and his family for two years, at Smyrna Baptist Church in Taylorsville, NC, that was obviously enough to bind them together for life. And although I was only 6 years old myself when I met the Morrow family, and spent only two years with them, by God’s grace they left an indelible impression upon my memory. 

Todd Morrow, Wayne’s son, was my buddy. He was a few years older than me, if memory serves. But never treated me like anything other than a little brother. We played basketball. Rode go-carts. And  hunted doves. Typically with our Dads right alongside us! Wayne’s daughter, Tammy, was my sister’s friend. We four kids recall late nights (at least they felt so at our young ages), wondering when our parents would finally ever finish their game of Rook! 

Wayne’s wife, and now widow, Marguerite, was known affectionately to us as “Margie.” She grand-mothered us like nobody’s business! Her jovial demeanor was infectious. And she always had yummy treats and snacks close-at-hand. I can still easily picture her broad smile in my mind’s eye.  

While I make no claim to having pages and pages of detailed memories with the Morrow family (I was after all only 6), what memories I do have all have one dominant drumbeat – love. Wayne and Margie loved us McWhorter’s. All of us. And loved us not just in word, but deed.

When Dad accepted the call to Pastor Broadway Baptist Church in Richmond, KY, we moved. And Richmond would become home to us, as Dad pastored Broadway for 30+ years until his retirement. But would you believe that nearly every other year, Wayne and Margie showed up on our doorstep? Sometimes announced. Sometimes unannounced. And always warmly welcomed! They would visit with us, and at least once, had driven the seven hours just to spend a day with us, and drove back that night. One time during a more lengthy visit, we all went to Yahoo Falls together. I was in high school, dating my now wife, and she remembers it fondly too! The hike was treacherous, but the company was totally worth it. Wayne and Margie always made us smile. By doling out love. 

As so often is the case, although our parents stayed pretty connected, Todd and I haven’t. But, I texted  my childhood friend upon getting the news to express my condolences. We reconnected instantly. We spoke of the hope of Jesus Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. We wondered if our Dads had perhaps visited together in heaven yet. And we said, “If they haven’t reconnected yet, they will, after all they have forever!” 

That’s the hope only the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ gives. He saved Wayne Morrow’s soul and forgave him of his sin. Wayne’s faith in Jesus was lived out faithfully and well. The love of Christ truly flowed out of his life, spilling onto me, even as a young lad. I think the last time I saw Wayne was at my own Dad’s funeral, or perhaps during my Dad’s terminal illness, some six years ago. But the next time I see him, and my Dad, we won’t be shedding any tears.

All because of Jesus. 

by Keith McWhorter