Thomas Wayne Satchell

Thomas Wayne Satchell entered into eternal rest on Monday June 20, 2022, at the age 67. He was born in Northampton County, Va., August 19, 1954. He was the son of the late George Berlin Satchell and Ella Virginia Bailey Satchell.

Bro. Satchell joined Union Baptist Church in Eastville, Va. at an early age and most recently was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Orange, Va. where he served as a Trustee. He was educated at the Northampton County Public Schools and later graduated from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science.

Wayne, as most people called him, had a calling very early in life. He always knew he wanted to be a mortician and to work in the funeral business. As a small child, he couldn’t wait to get home from school. He used to walk around looking for dead animals in the yard. Once he found what he was looking for, he’d get his sister Liz and they would play funeral. Wayne was the funeral director and his sister read the church papers. During his teenage years, he worked for a funeral home in Nassawaddox, Va. and it’s that experience that solidified his decision to pursue mortuary school. Upon graduation from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science, he served his apprenticeship with a funeral home in Louisa, Va. and on March 5, 1980 he opened Satchell’s Funeral Service, Inc., accomplishing a lifelong dream, which he owned and operated for an incredible 42 years.

Although, Bro. Satchell was passionate about funeral service he had many other interests. He loved playing the drums. He taught himself how to play and when he was in high school he and a few friends created a band called “Jap & the Miracles.” Jap was his childhood nickname. The band was so good that they were hired for dances and other gigs. After his days in the band, he continued to play drums at churches and often got together with friends for jam sessions in his home.

He was a lover of jazz music. He enjoyed listening to Chick Corea, Spyro Gyra and his most favorite artist, Al Jarreau. He didn’t miss an opportunity to see those musicians in concert and he had cabinets full of their vinyl records, tapes and later CD’s. He knew so much about jazz that he was even given an opportunity to DJ a one-hour jazz program on a local radio station which he did for about a year.

He loved talking to people everywhere he went. It didn’t matter if he was in the grocery store, restaurant, post office or parking lot, he’d talk to everyone. Sometimes he’d do so much talking that he’d forget why he even went to the run the errand in the first place.

Bro. Satchell is preceded in death by his brother, Alvin Satchell, Sr.

Wayne leaves to cherish his memory his wife Eloise Satchell of 47 years; daughter Stephanie and husband Nathan; four siblings Clarence Satchell, Sr. and wife Malichea (Betty), Marvin Satchell, Sr., Elizabeth Spady and husband Eugene, and Gerald Satchell; two uncles, Caleb Satchell, Elliott Masters,  Ernest Satchell and wife Elsa; one grandson, Myles Morris; his very best friend Allen Jennings and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Even as Bro. Satchell’s health declined over the past several years and recent months, you would always find him positive, upbeat, and outgoing, talking to everyone he ran into. He loved life and truly enjoyed spending time with his family and his precious “little man” Myles. Just a few days before his passing he said these were the types of memories he wanted to take with him at the end of his life. We believe that he was truly happy and knew that his work here on this earth was done.

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