"No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye,

You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why."

Samuel Heyward Wingate, Jr., eighty-eight (88), of Hampton, Virginia, was the first child of the late Hayward Wingate, Sr. and Mary Graves-Wingate of Mullins, South Carolina.

Heyward, Jr. accepted Christ at an early age, and he was a wonderful husband to his wife.  He went to school in Mullins, South Carolina until the 10th grade.  He worked in the field alongside his father until he left home.  At the age of eighteen (18), he married the love of his life, Anna Ruth Swinton.  They stayed married for the rest of their lives.

Heyward Jr. worked in Newport News Shipbuilding as a Welder.  He retired after 35 years.  He was the owner of a moving company, landscaping, car detailing, and one of the best auto mechanics in Hampton Roads.

Heyward Jr. was preceded in death by his son, DeAndre Swinton (Wingate).  He leaves to cherish his loving memory, four beautiful children, Sandra Smith of Killeen, Texas, Henry Wingate of South Sioux City, Nebraska, Sherry Wingate of Hampton, Virginia, Dante Swinton (Wingate) of Hampton, Virginia; two grandsons, Jerome Wingate of Hampton, Virginia and Javon Wingate of Oakland, California.

Heyward Jr. was also preceded in death by four (4) brothers, John C., Marvin, George, and Joe Wingate.  He leaves to cherish his loving memory two sisters, Mattie Miller of Hamilton, New Jersey, Mary Ruth Coleman of Abingdon, Maryland; one sister-in-law, Ida Mae Legette of Mullins, South Carolina; one aunt, Laura Wormley; a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2024 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel.  A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Third Baptist Church in Hampton, VA.  Interment will be in Hampton Memorial Gardens.