Alvis James "Jay" Waite

Alvis James “Jay” Waite, 73, died on January 16, 2022, of an unexpected illness. The son of the Rev. and Mrs. Alvis A Waite, Jr., Jay was born in 1948 in Talbotton, Georgia, where his father was the Methodist pastor. From the time he enrolled in Emory University, Jay made his home in Atlanta.

While at Emory, he also began his career (and adventures) as a business entrepreneur. From these early years, his sisters remember tales of his selling books door-to-door, partnering in a pig raising venture, and backing a friend’s shoe-string restaurant start-up— tales that only grew in comedy and disaster as he retold them.

But Jay was indeed talented in identifying promising business opportunities and helping them launch and grow. Although the successes of 50 years are too numerous to recount here, his lifelong interests in design and function (particularly architectural design), construction theory and techniques, and the intersection of craftsmanship and art informed his work in varied ways.

Family and friends were at the center of Jay’s life. He and Jo Robinson, his first wife, had three daughters—Katherine (Kat), Rhodes, and Abbie—whom they dearly loved and encouraged. Among their favorite times, the girls remember their dad calling out, “Let’s go reconnoiter!” They would jump in the car for a wander around Atlanta or the countryside, exploring byways and hidden places. All the while, he would share history and tales, describe previous cityscapes and visions for the future. Playing Ping-Pong was another favorite father-daughter activity; they remember his telling about his boyhood enthusiasm for the game, buying balls for ten cents out of a gumball-type machine, patching balls for longevity, and playing throughout his army days.

Jay cherished 27 years with Connie (Warne) Waite, enjoying both travels and quiet home times, supporting each other’s work endeavors, and becoming grandparents. He was thankful, he said, for the many ways Connie made his life possible and fulfilling.

The best times with friends and family for Jay often occurred over dinner and at parties—sharing good conversations, wrangling over ideas, and telling stories old and new. Here’s what we say in celebration! Jay lived and loved fully, achieved much, gave much—and it was quite a story.

Jay Waite is survived by his wife, Connie (Warne) Waite; his daughters and their families, Kat and Kate Brownwaite and their children Elaine, Mabon, and Heron; Rhodes Waite and partner Kat Neubauer; Abbie and Rob Weeks and their children Charlotte, Bell, and expected sibling; sisters LuAlice and Mary Abbott Waite; and numerous family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 23 at 2 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St. (at 5th St.), Atlanta 30308. Parking information at https://www.stmarkumc.org/sunday-resources. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay’s name may be made to any support organization for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Disease, the Humane Society, or a charity of your choice. Streaming will be on St. Mark's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StMarkUMCATL

The family would love to hear your personal memories and see any photos of Jay and kindly ask that you email them to: [email protected]. Most sincere thanks.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hmpattersonOglethorpe.com for the Waite family.