John Wesley Wideman, 82, of 109 Summer Breeze Court, Townville, South Carolina peacefully entered into eternal rest on Saturday morning, November 11, 2023 at Parkside Post Acute and Rehabilitation Center in Snellville, Georgia.

Born in McCormick County, South Carolina on May 12, 1941, he was the son of the late John Henderson Wideman and the late Ruby Adams Wideman.  He was reared in the home of his grandmother, the late Amanda Josephine Harrison Wideman and his aunt, the late Reverend Amanda Elizabeth Wideman Dale Drennon.

He was a 1960 graduate of Mims High School and was an outstanding basketball player for the Mims High School Hornets. He also excelled in baseball during his high school years.

"Wes" as he was affectionally called by his family and friends was very ambitious and outgoing, he was a mechanic in his own rights who loved to work on cars and enjoyed racing.  His early employment consisted of working at the McCormick Service Station and later with the McCormick Highway Department.  He retired from West Point Stevens Plant in Calhoun Falls, South Carolina after several years of service. After retirement Wes worked as a Security Guard at Pilgrim Pride in Elberton, Georgia and was also the former owner of Wideman's Lawn Care.

He was a member of Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church in McCormick, South Carolina and was affiliated with the Antioch Baptist Church in Elberton, Georgia.  Wes had a great love for gospel singing and was the founder of the Five Singing Stars of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina and later the Gospel Aires.  Wes was one of the original singers of Reverend Spearman and the Spearman Singers and many other groups doing his tenure. He also was a member of the Sons of Aide Lodge No. 30.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandmother, aunt and one son, Darrell Wideman.

Leaving to cherish his most fond and precious memories are one son, Wesley Sentell Wideman and wife, Kayla Wideman of Townville, South Carolina; one daughter, Erica Patrice Wideman of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina; four stepsons, Tallas Thomas and Franklin Thomas both of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina; Ricky Sibert of McCormick, South Carolina and Jeffery Wideman of Orangeburg, South Carolina; one stepdaughter, Latoria Thomas of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina; two  brothers, John Claude Dale (Bettie) and Sammy L. Drennon, Jr. and wife, Thelma Diane Drennon both of Greenwood, South Carolina; five grandchildren,  DeShawn Wideman, Danica Wideman, Johntavious  Belcher, Jaiana Wideman and Serena Sky Wideman; one aunt, Maude W. Singletary of Detroit, Michigan; one nephew, Tommie DeJohn Drennon of Greenwood, South Carolina and a host of other relatives and friends who will truly miss him.

Public viewing will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 1-6 P.M at the funeral home.

Home going service for John Wesley Wideman will be held at 1 P.M. on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church will the Reverend Paul Nelson Wharton, Pastor and Officiating. Assisting will be Reverend Albert G. Bell, Reverend Carl Chiles, Archbishop Emanuel Spearman and Reverend James Coleman. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 12 noon.

Pallbearers will be Willie Morange, Dale Mursier, Erwin Wideman, Willie Campbell, Charles "CT" Turman and Earl Warren.

Flower Bearers will be Thelma W. Smith, Melanie W. Rucker, Carolyn Wideman, Angela M. Calhoun Vivian A. Parker and Ronaldia B. Tutt.

Honorary Pallbearers will be The Sons of Aide Lodge No. 30.

The family is at the home of his son, Wesley Sentell Wideman, 109 Summer Breeze Court in Townville, South Carolina and his brother, Sammy L. Drennon, Jr., 208 McKellar Drive in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Parks Funeral Home is assisting The Wideman Family.