Martin Wayne Sigler went home to the arms of Christ on the night of February 11, 2021 at the age of 65 years old. He leaves behind his beloved wife Terri, his three children Taryn, Caleb, and Joshua, their spouses Carlton, Casey, and Hannah whom he always loved as his own, and his five grandchildren Josiah, Lydia Jayne, Gwendolyn, Evangeline, and Marigold who called him Pops. He is also survived by his two brothers Rev. Ralph Sigler and Rev. Mike Sigler as well as his mother-in-law Dottie Schwartz. Wayne was born in Hattiesburg, MS, and raised by the late Rev. Richard and Naomi Sigler. He was exposed to a faith in Jesus Christ at an early age. His father’s ministry meant that he grew up moving all over the Southeast. His mother instilled in him a love for music at an early age and he began to direct choirs for the first time when he was just a teenager. A fervent lover of learning, he studied at Asbury College, received a BA at the University of Kentucky in Theatre Arts, a BA in Music at Southern Mississippi University, and a Masters in Music from the Conservatory at the University of Cincinnati. He began his ministry at Lakeshore Methodist in Jacksonville, Florida, and continued on to serve as minister of music at St. Giles Presbyterian in Richmond, Virginia, Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis, TN, and for the past 12 years has served at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery, AL. On June 21, 1986, he married Terri and was an incredible example of how to lead a Christ-centered loving marriage for 34 years.
Wayne’s greatest pride outside of his faith was his family. Those who knew him even for a short time became well aware that his love for his wife Terri was unique. Their marriage was one filled with deep laughter, joy, and affection for each other. That love spread into his kids, and their kids, and to anyone who was nearby at any time. To them he was their hero, and he lived that out every day of his life. Wayne was “Pops” to not only his family, but countless neighbors and friends of his children. He loved to read to children, and even volunteered his time at local schools to read and sing to children in Montgomery. Wayne loved to laugh. He could fill a room with smiles with his laugh. It was contagious and God honoring. Wayne’s gifts, talents, and creativity seemed to have no limits. An avid gardener, his homes were always thickly surrounded with roses, hydrangeas, and flowers of every color. He talked about Heaven often. He would well up with joyful tears talking about “being there” in the great garden, surrounded by his family, at the feast of Jesus.
After more than a month at Baptist East Hospital, he was moved to Noland Hospital where he ultimately died due to complications from COVID-19. Terri considered it a great blessing that the immediate family was able to be with him in the hospital in the days leading up to his death. On the day of his passing he was surrounded by his wife and three children as they prayed and sang hymns over him. A memorial service celebrating his life will take place at Frazer Church on Monday February 15 at 3:30pm and will be streamed live at: Frazer.church/live
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Music Department at Frazer Church.
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