Wayne Divine

Dr. Douglas Wayne Divine, age 88, of Pine Bluff, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, August 8, 2018. Born July 15, 1930, in the Sulphur Springs Community, he was the son of Fred Douglas Divine and Winnie Watson Divine. A graduate of Pine Bluff High School, Wayne attended Arkansas A&M before joining the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge from the military he went on to finish his bachelor's degree, graduating in 1957 from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He worked in the petroleum industry for a while before accepting the position of Mathematics instructor and assistant basketball coach for the Watson Chapel School District. Wayne was a true believer in the importance of education, practiced what he preached and through hard work and determination eventually earning a Doctorate in Education from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1972. He served as Assistant Superintendent for the Watson Chapel School District from 1974 to 1979, when he became the Dean of Continuing Education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He retired in 1993 after 32 years in education. He was a proud member of First Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon and taught the Median Adult Men's Class for over 20 years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Jo Ann Harper Divine; and a sister, Maureen Divine Work. Dr. Divine is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Becky Granderson Divine; daughters, Joye Lynn Divine (Jack), and Kellye Maureen Divine; stepdaughters, Amber Thompson (Kevin) and Jennifer Nail (Rick); grandchildren, Jade Cooper, Kaleigh Horton, Joye Miller, Allison Morphew and Leah Thompson; great-grandchildren, Harper, Thomas and Josie; and many other loving family and friends. Memorial services will be Monday, August 13th, two o'clock in the afternoon at First Baptist Church with Reverend Kenneth Thornton and Brother Steve Monk officiating. Interment will follow in Fitzhugh Cemetery by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services. Visitation will precede services at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. Online condolences: FullerFunerals.com.