Mr. Vernon David Conaway of Macon, Georgia died Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Friday, February 18, 2022 at 12:00 Noon on the grounds of New Mercy, New Beginnings, New Victory Ministries in Macon, Georgia.  Everyone in attendance is asked to please wear a mask and to practice social distancing.

On November 30, 1968, Mr. William T. & Mrs. Shirley A. Conaway welcomed their first child into the world at St. Francis Hospital, in Wilmington, DE.   Vernon David Conaway was the first addition to this young, loving couple and an extra special gift to his mother as he had been born exactly one day before her birthday. Although many called Vernon his father's spitting image, his mother always proudly proclaimed that he was her birthday present.

Raised in Harrington, DE, Vernon attended Lake Forest Elementary and Lake Forest High School.  After high school graduation, he also attended Delaware State University.  From a previous marriage, he was blessed with two children: Christina Morgan Conaway and Ashton Mark Gregory Conaway, whom he doted on and proudly shared his pictures with anyone that didn't mind looking at them.  Having lived in both the states of New York and Georgia for some years, Vernon lovingly fulfilled the request of his father to relocate to Delaware to help look after his mother, after his father's passing.  While in Delaware, Vernon was employed by Kraft Foods (now Kraft-Heinz) in Dover, DE, where he worked dutifully in the Beverage and Mixing Department.  As this plant was once where all the company's Jell-O, Crystal Light, and Tang was made, chances are, you might have enjoyed his handiwork (thank you, Vernon!)

A few short years later, thanks to the matchmaking efforts of his sister (Andrea) and her co-worker (Jewell), in 2006 during a Christmas Eve party in Decatur, GA, Vernon met  Matred and soon a group date (at Matred's insistence) was planned-with her nephew Tighe as her "date".  During their initial private conversation, they both felt that something was happening.  The rest, as they say, is history.  For on MLK's Birthday, he proposed and Matred accepted, but not before rededicating his life to JESUS in her presence, while attending church with her   during a visit to Georgia.  They were married a mere two months later, on March 5, 2007, and until the day he went home to be with the LORD, on Sunday, February 6, 2022, they enjoyed a beautiful and joyous marriage covenant, ordained, and favored by GOD.  With this union, their four children from each one's previous marriages became their children; their families became their family; their dreams became their dream.

As the Word of The LORD declares, they became ONE, and they held fast to their vows to remain loving, faithful, and devoted to one another, until they were to depart this life on Earth and enter into eternal reward. During their life together, Vernon continued to work dutifully as AV Ministry Leader and later ordained as a Deacon in 2009 at Ecclesia Family Worship Center (now known as The W.E.L.L. Church), in Dover, DE.  He also served faithfully at Christian Love Worship Cathedral in Wilmington, DE, and after relocating with his wife to Georgia, he desired for them to help support the ministry of his in-loves (Bishop Willie and Pastor Gail P. Hunter) at New Mercy, New Beginnings, New Victory Ministries in Macon, GA - his final place of Kingdom service. Always soft spoken until he had something significant to say, Vernon was known to be an avid scholar of the Word of GOD, and from time to time, his leaders assigned him to teach.  Many mouths hung open as he dropped golden, wise nuggets comparing and contrasting  scripture that illuminated subjects pertaining to history, warfare, weaponry and military strategies (some of his favorite subjects to discuss). Anyone that knew him well, knew that you only had to mention his Pittsburgh Steelers and a conversation would quickly ensue, whether you were a fan or not.  Throughout his life, Vernon suffered many bouts of chronic illness, but to the best of his ability, he never let that prevent him from honoring his assignments.  To have known Vernon is to know that he was one of the strongest, kind, protective, loyal, and         dependable people that you would ever be blessed to meet.  He was a man of few words, but full of intention and compassion.  He will be greatly missed by his wife and  family.

He leaves to mourn his loving and devoted best friend, lover and wife of 15 years, Elder Matred M. Conaway of Macon, GA (Assistant Pastor of New Mercy Ministries); two sons: J. Daniel Gadson, II. of Milford, DE and Ashton M. G. Conaway of Lithonia, GA; One   beloved daughter - his "Chocolate Bunny" - Christina M. Conaway of Lithonia, GA; two goddaughters, Myonna Randolph of Hampton, GA and Nevaeh Johnson of Bristol, PA; His beloved mother, Mrs. Shirley A. Conaway of Harrington, DE; His In-Loves, Bishop Willie Hunter and Pastor Gail P. Hunter of Byron, GA; two brothers, Russell T. Conaway of Norfolk, VA and W. Kashiah Hunter, III. (Jewell) of Norcross, GA; two sisters, Andrea  Conaway of Atlanta, GA and Amanda G. Hunter of Loganville, GA;  a host of aunts and uncles, Linda Perry (Lawrence) of Chesapeake, VA, Pamela Taylor, Bertha Taylor, Sebrena Taylor and Gail Reid (Linwood) all of Millsboro, DE, Elder Elizabeth Johnson of Bristol, PA, Linda Mote (Calvin) of Brandon, MS, Ruth Barnes of Jackson, MS, Edna   Williams (Dennis) of Cleveland, OH, Sonny Russ of Indiana, Bruce Taylor of Georgetown, DE, Elijah Hunter of Ft. Walton, FL, and Abraham Hunter (Barbara) of Douglasville, GA; six nieces, Shakeira Conaway and Shaylen Conaway of Denton, MD Kighe Hunter of Huntsville, AL, Skye Hunter of Sandy Springs, GA, Amariah Hunter and Anaya Hunter both of Loganville, GA; Three nephews, Tighe Hunter of Huntsville, AL, Antwon Hunter and Kaden Hunter both of Loganville, GA;  a host of loving cousins, friends, church family, along with a dear friend and mentor, Elder Victor Morgan (Carolyn) of Bear, DE.

Vernon was preceded in death, and now reunited with his Dad/Hero, Elder William T. Conaway; son, Joshua D. Gadson; Grandparents, David and Sarah Taylor, Lulu Perry, and Rev. Lillie Mae Hunter; aunts and uncles, Priscilla Snell, Sylvia "Jennie" Santiago, Wanda Taylor, Catherine Taylor, Mary Henderson, Pastor Velma Johnson, Dwight Taylor, Robert Taylor, Samuel Lee Russ, Eddie Baker, and Elder Theodore Johnson.