Wayne Stewart, Jr.

Wayne Stewart, Jr., 59, of Macon, MS passed away in his favorite deer stand doing what he loved, Monday, December 15, 2025.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Concord Baptist Church at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be made to Salem Cemetery Fund, c/o Ethan Ewing, 21 Elkin Ct, Macon, MS 39341 or Salem Historical Society, c/o Nick Clark, 7726 Honey Lake Rd, Macon, MS 39341. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements

Wayne was born May 11, 1966, in Covington, Louisiana, to the late Wayne Stewart Sr. and Rita Lindley Stewart. He grew up in Macon, Mississippi, and developed a love for hunting and fishing at an early age through time spent with his late grandfather, Ancil Lofton Lindley Jr. Wayne’s passion for the great outdoors later inspired him to earn a bachelor’s degree in forestry and wildlife management from Mississippi State University. Wayne excelled in this career and even won the Noxubee County Soil and Water Conservation District Wildlife Management Award in 1999 as well as the Wildlife Conservationist Award in 2007. He also successfully owned and operated a catfish seining business in Noxubee County for many years.

His greatest passion in life was bowhunting. Wayne was an accomplished hunter who believed deeply in respecting wildlife and preserving the outdoors he loved. He was a lifetime member of the Mississippi Bowhunter’s Association as well as a part of the Pope and Young Club. He received various trophies for his success in hunting, including the Fox Lake Outfitters Hunter of the Year Award in 1996. He also harvested multiple Pope and Young qualifying animals. While he took great pride in hunting whitetail, he was especially drawn to hunting big game in Africa. His late father, Wayne Stewart Sr., gifted him a hunting trip to Africa as a graduation present. This began Wayne Jr.’s lifelong love for Africa. He eventually met his two best friends, professional hunters Strangles Middleton and Rassie Erasmus, during his African adventures. They maintained their friendships beautifully and planned yearly hunting and fishing trips together.

No matter in which facet you knew Wayne, he was a legend. He put others before himself and was always looking for ways to make those around him laugh. He was a big jokester and loved a good harmless prank. His light-hearted energy naturally drew people to him. He was truly one of a kind.

Wayne is preceded in death by his father and brother, Gabe Stewart.

While Wayne was extremely dedicated to his career and passions, he was also a dedicated father, grandfather, and uncle. He is survived by: mother, Rita Lindley Stewart; brother, Jeb Lindley Stewart (Kelli) & their children, Eli and Ivy Kate; son, Austin Stewart (Meria) & their children Lakyn and Oakes; daughter, Anna Lea Stewart Burks (Trey) & their son Leo; uncles, Ancil Lindley (Charlotte);and David Lindley (Georgia).