Dedrick Briggs

Dedrick "Wayne" Briggs was born on March 22, 1967, at South Ruislip Airforce Base in England, United Kingdom, to Arthur Ray and Shirl L. Briggs.  Wayne, surrounded by love, passed away on November 26th, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Kenneth Ray Trotter and Arvetine Briggs-Curley.

Wayne was raised in Gosnell, AR, where he graduated from Gosnell High School in the class of '85. His journey continued at Henderson State University, where he joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  He not only graduated but also discovered the love of his life, Angela McCree.

In 1991, Dedrick and Angela married and joined Friendship Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN. This union blossomed into a family of four with the arrival of their first daughter, Perri, followed by their daughter, Piersen, born in Saskatoon, Canada while Wayne was Area Manager at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Saskatoon.

Dedrick navigated various professional paths, commencing with Enterprise, followed by Randstad, and concluding his career as an Operations Supervisor at Asurion. Notably, he found immense fulfillment in advocating for charter schools, leaving an indelible mark on the educational landscape of Tennessee.

Wayne, a devoted friend and family man, cherished his daughters and wholeheartedly supported their pursuits. His passion for bringing joy to others was evident in the warmth of his home, where he delighted in hosting gatherings and showcasing his culinary skills, especially during holiday celebrations.

Wayne's legacy endures through his wife of 32 years, Angela Briggs, his cherished daughters Perri Briggs and Piersen Briggs, his brothers Arnold Briggs (Brenda), Raymond Briggs (Sherry), and his sisters Vickie Johnson, Ebony Cobin (Alpha), Nikki Curley, LaToshia Nelson, and Dierdra Harris, his uncles Dr. Sherwin Allen, Dr. Claudis Allen, Robert Jones, Apostle Robert Green, and his aunt Dr. Debra Allen. He also leaves behind a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family, friends, and beloved in-laws who will miss him greatly.

May his memory be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew and loved him.