Brandon Wade

The Life of Our Beloved Son Brandon Alphonso Wade With deepest sorrow, we announce that our son, Brandon Alphonso Wade, age 36, our first-born son, brother, father, family member and friend passed suddenly on Monday, November 2, 2020, while in the home he shared with his father as his father’s caregiver. Brandon was born on July 1, 1984 at Bluefield Regional Hospital. It still remains a fond memory to us that Al was so happy, proud, excited and anxious that we had given birth to a son, that he only waited a few minutes to make certain I was in my hospital room before he sprinted off to the hospital’s nursery to make certain “his” baby was there and that someone was taking care “his” son. Our Brandon matriculated his elementary school years in McDowell County Schools and his middle and high school years through Mercer County Schools. Even as a young child, he was an avid reader and had a relentless quest for knowledge. These attributes made our son excel as a student. He took AP honors classes, was a member of the HISTA Program, and the National Honor Society. He was also chosen to be a member of the American National Honor Society. He was active in student politics and was selected to be the Mayor of Bluefield for the day while participating in the city’s Shadowing City Officials, Student Government Day. Not only did he excel academically, he was a student athlete playing both football and basketball for Beaver Nation. Brandon graduated from Bluefield High School in 2002. Brandon followed our higher education legacy and attended Bluefield State College. Where he also excelled academically as a college student. He was a Dean’s List student, and one of his extra-curricular activities was pledging the Alpha Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, all while he maintained a job at Kroger’s Grocery Store in Bluefield. He graduated from Bluefield State College with Honors in the Spring of 2006. Brandon was deeply committed to education and counseling. After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, from Bluefield State College he pursued a career as a treatment counselor at Sam Perdue Juvenile Center in Princeton, WV. At the time of his death, he was employed as a treatment counselor at Pressley Ridge School of Virginia in Tazewell, VA. An administrator at Pressley Ridge School stated that “the staff and students at Pressley Ridge are devastated by the loss of Brandon.” He also enjoyed tutoring both academic subjects and preparatory advising to students who were seeking to earn their High School Equivalency Diplomas (GED). Those who knew Brandon best, his lifelong friends, Three Smalls, Jason Robertson, Steven Wilkes, and Bobby Barber, would say "He was one of the smartest brothers we know” and that they have lost a shining light in their lives. Brandon will be missed everyday by us, his Father, Alphonso Wade, his Mother, Sandra Larry Wade, and his brother Dustin Wade all of Bluefield, West Virginia. His son, Kamari Irby, of Wytheville, Virginia, and his Fiancé Jennifer Turner of Hinsdale, Illinois. He also leaves to mourn his paternal aunts Verona Wade of Chicago, Illinois, and Celeta (Dennis) Harris of Charleston, West Virginia, his paternal uncles Robert Wade of Gary, West Virginia, and Keith (Seaondra) Wade of Charleston, West Virginia. His maternal uncle Nelson (Dolores) Larry of Windsor, Connecticut, as well as his many cousins, extended family members and friends. We know Brandon is now in eternal rest and peace with his Paternal Grandparents, James and Elizabeth Wade, and his Maternal Grandparents William and Louise Larry, and is loved here on earth as well as in heaven. We LOVE and will MISS you so much our Beloved Son! We have entrusted Mercer Funeral Home, located at 1231 Cumberland Road, Bluefield, WV 24701, with the final arrangements for our son. On Monday, November 9th we will celebrate Brandon’s Life with a private service adhering to Covid-19 social distancing, in the chapel of Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 6605 New Hope Road, Bluefield, WV. 24701. The service will be officiated by Reverend William Spencer.

Brandon Wade

July 1, 1984 - November 2, 2020