Pastor Fayne Gray Wise, age 83, entered eternal rest on September 11, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio. His earthly journey may have come to a close, but the story of his life filled with faith, music, ministry, leadership, love, and service will continue to be told through the many lives he touched.

Fayne was born on December 14, 1942, in Toledo, Ohio, the beloved son of Harold Wise, Sr. and Mary Roberts-Wise. He was educated in Toledo Public Schools and graduated from Scott High School. He later attended Eastern New Mexico University.

As a young man, Fayne answered the call to serve his country, proudly serving four years in the United States Air Force. He was primarily stationed in Alamogordo and Clovis, New Mexico. It was during those years in Clovis that God began writing another important chapter in his life.

In Clovis, Fayne met and married Alice Traylor on November 12, 1962. From this union came two children, Lisa Wise-Eady and Rev. Shane Wise. But his time in Clovis was about more than military service and family. It became a sacred turning point, as Fayne rededicated his life to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

There, he became an ordained minister and began serving faithfully at Bethlehem Baptist Church. At Bethlehem, Fayne cultivated the gifts that would shape the rest of his life. He preached. He taught Bible study. He served as music director for the church choir. And he used his voice to lift the hearts of God’s people.

Family and friends in Clovis still remember the great young man he was, the powerful preacher he became, and how deeply he loved to sing. He was often requested throughout Clovis and in cities across New Mexico and West Texas to sing, “Stood on the Banks of Jordan.” When Fayne sang, his voice had a way of moving people to their feet in praise.

After leaving the armed service, Fayne was employed with John Hancock Insurance Agency until his journey eventually led him back to Toledo, Ohio. Yet wherever he went, ministry remained a part of who he was. His journey would continue from city to city, pulpit to pulpit, and heart to heart.

Pastor Wise later married his beloved high school sweetheart, Paula Collier Wise. Together, they built a family rooted in faith, love, music, ministry, and service. From their union came Cynthia and Stephanie.

Before moving to Lima, Ohio, Pastor Wise served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Fremont, Ohio. His ministry eventually brought him to Lima, where he became the beloved pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

Shiloh was not simply a place where Pastor Wise preached. It was a church he loved deeply and to which he gave his life in faithful service. Under his leadership, Shiloh experienced vision, growth, and lasting impact. During his pastorate, a new church building was built, and thousands of dollars were raised in scholarship funds to support students and future leaders.

Pastor Wise understood that ministry was about much more than standing behind a pulpit on Sunday morning. He married many. He buried many. He counseled many. He prayed for many. He walked alongside families through some of the most sacred and difficult moments of their lives. For countless people, he became more than a pastor—he became a trusted counselor, mentor, father figure, and friend.

His vision reached far beyond Sunday morning worship. He cast vision for Debutantes for Christ Cotillion and brought the Battle of the Bands to Lima, Ohio. He remained a passionate advocate for the arts, believing in the power of music, culture, education, and excellence to shape lives and open doors.

His commitment to service also extended into denominational and civic leadership. Pastor Wise served as Moderator of the Northwestern District Association and in the office of Sergeant General for the Ohio Baptist General Convention. He also served as President of the NAACP in Lima, Ohio, using his voice and influence to advocate for justice, dignity, opportunity, and community progress.

To know Pastor Wise was to know warmth, wisdom, humor, conviction, faith, music, and vision. He was a preacher of the Gospel, a builder of people, a lover of the church, an advocate for the arts, and a father figure to many. His life was marked by service, sacrifice, creativity, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to God, family, church, and community.

And perhaps one of the greatest ways to understand Pastor Wise is to remember that he did not simply speak about faith, service, and vision—he lived them. His voice could fill a sanctuary in praise, his preaching could challenge a heart, his laughter could bring warmth to a room, and his vision could inspire a community to believe that something greater was possible.

Pastor Fayne Gray Wise was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Paula Collier Wise; his parents, Harold Wise, Sr. and Mary Roberts-Wise; and his brothers, Harold Wise, Jr. and Ean Wise.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Lisa Wise-Eady; Rev. Shane (Crystal) Wise; Cynthia (Dorniko) Ridgell; and Pastor Stephanie (Pastor Corey) Cunningham; his daughters of the heart, Miata (George) Sherman; Anita Baker, Mindy Paris, Nkechi Johnson, Stephanie Jacobs, and Brenda (Israel) Charles; 11 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; his sister, Patricia Wise; extended family; the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church family; spiritual sons and daughters; and a host of relatives, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

Though there will be an empty place where his presence once stood, the work he began and the lives he touched will continue to speak.

Pastor Fayne Gray Wise lived a life poured out in service to God and others. He gave his voice to praise, his heart to ministry, his vision to the community, and his life to the people he loved.

Though his earthly journey has come to a close, his faith, voice, vision, laughter, wisdom, and love remain alive in all who were blessed to know him.

His story does not end here. It lives on in every sermon he preached, every song he sang, every life he encouraged, every family he prayed with, every student he helped, every community he served, and every heart he helped lead closer to God.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on September 19 at 10:00 a.m. at Philippian Missionary Baptist Church, located at 190 East 8th Street, Lima, Ohio 45804. Visitation will be held on Friday September 18 at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 P.M. at Shiloh MBC located at 110 W. 11th Street Lima, Ohio 45804.

Services entrusted to: JONES-CLARK FUNERAL HOME, INC.

To order flowers and to offer condolences to the Wise Family visit www.jonesclarkfuneralhome.com