News

The Martin Methodist College family is mourning the death of Wayne Hobbs, who had served since 2004 as the founding project director of the college’s Upward Bound program.

Mr. Hobbs passed away Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the age of 67.

He came to Martin Methodist College following 39 years in secondary education, including the last 25 as a teacher and principal at Richland High School in Giles County. When the college received a U.S. Department of Education grant in 2004 to create an Upward Bound program, which focuses on high school students who come from families of lower income who have not been able to attend college, Mr. Hobbs was selected to put the program in place. He continued in that position until his death, with the program serving 50 students annually from a five-county area in southern central Tennessee.

"Wayne Hobbs was a trusted colleague and dear friend for those of us who work at Martin Methodist College," said Dr. Ted Brown, president of Martin Methodist College. "He was responsible for initiating Upward Bound on our campus and led the team that has made that program so successful for the five-county region that it impacts. He cared deeply about those Upward Bound students, and he inspired us to do everything we can to help them flourish. Wayne Hobbs will be greatly missed from our college family and from our community and region."

He was also a member of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) Hall of Fame.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Carr & Erwin Funeral Home in Pulaski, with funeral services set for 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at First United Methodist Church in Pulaski, where remains will lie in state from 10-11 a.m. Burial will follow in Lynnwood Cemetery.

Mr. Hobbs is survived by: his wife, Sally Hobbs, of Pulaski; son Wesley Hobbs and wife Christine of Chapel Hill, Tenn.; daughter Ashley Hobbs of Chapel Hill, Tenn; and sister Susie Littleton and husband Gary of Lynnville, Tenn.

Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Pulaski Building Fund or Martin Methodist College Student Emergency Fund.