Funeral services will be held for Dugay Herbert Wonders Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at China Grove Missionary Baptist church, 699 Mondy Road, in Grambling. The repast will be held immediately following the service at Grambling State University Washington Complex – Room 100.
Viewing will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kings Funeral Home, 1511 West California Avenue, in Ruston.
Wonders was born July 13, 1961 in Los Angeles to the union of Dugay E. and Ora Lee Wonders. He was the fourth of five children.
At an early age, he joined Phillip Temple CME Church in Los Angeles where he was in attendance every Sunday for Sunday School and Worship Service. After moving to Grambling he joined Lewis Temple CME of Grambling where he served as an Usher.
Dugay enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in various states and countries. He faithfully served his country for 3 and a half years until his discharge in 1983.
He was a graduate of Locke High School in Los Angeles, California. He attended Harvour Junior College where he pursued a degree in Mathematics. He had a strong desire to attend a Historically Black College or University. After careful research, he decided to attend Grambling State University in Grambling where he pursued a degree in electronics engineering technology. He later became employed at his Alma Mater as an electronic technician supervisor.
His co-worker (the late Rose Jones) invited him to China Grove Missionary Baptist Church on numerous occasions. He quickly grew fond of the church and attended regularly, also accompanying Jones as she had become ill and needed assistance. It was there where he met the love of his life, Suncharie McCallister. They united in holy matrimony and he later joined the church under the leadership of Pastor Garnet Wagner Sr.
He served as the Sunday school superintendent, transportation driver, volunteer yard assistant, chairman of the Brotherhood, assisted in the kitchen and wherever assistance was needed. He was always the first or one of the first to arrive each Sunday for Sunday School Teachers Meetings.
He always attended Bible Study where he was well known for asking questions, for he wanted to become fully knowledgeable of the word of God. McCallister would like to thank his mother for instilling in her children to always put Christ first and family is the most important thing in life. Wonders always remembered those words and made it a part of his everyday life. He always put his family first and his daughter “Rossi” was his pride and joy.
Wonders had a love for cooking and eating chicken. He was always eager to take home whatever chicken was left after the services.
He volunteered to cook and prepare breakfast for the Ruston High School girls basketball team where his daughters are members of the squad. They looked forward to him preparing omelets for the entire team and staff.
Wonders will be sorely missed by the entire China Grove Baptist Church Family, especially Pastor Wagner, Marvin Hatten who had developed a friendship and bond like no other.
Dugay was preceded in death by a brother, Myron Wonders of Los Angeles, California.
He leaves his cherished memories, his loving and devoted wife, Suncharie McCallister; his parents, Dugay E. and Ora Lee Wonders of Los Angeles, California; his loving mother-in-law, Doris McCallister of Ruston, Louisiana; a daughter, Rossanita Wonders (his pride and joy) of Grambling, Louisiana; three step daughters, Tracy McCallister, MarKieta Hicks (Johnathan) and SunKietra McCallister all of Grambling, Louisiana; two brothers, Anthony Wonders ( Kimberly) and Linston Wonders (Judy) both of Los Angeles, California; a sister, Francine Turner (Gaylord) of Los Angeles, California; two sister-in-laws, Marietta McCallister and Turshen McCallister both of Ruston, Louisiana; four brother-in-laws, James Jr., Christopher and Terrance McCallister (Sonya) all of Ruston, Louisiana and Ricky McCallister of Monroe, Louisiana; six grandchildren, Mentavious and, Joaquan McCallister, Jacoreia Hicks, Tremainious McCallister, Makayla and MaKenzie Branch; seven aunts, Mary Lee Owens, Dorothy Bryant, Clarice McDonald and Argusta Wilson all of Ruston, Louisiana and Susie Manning of Monroe, Louisiana and Irma Jones of Farmerville, Louisiana; two uncles, Leroy Wilson and Joe Ben Wilson (Annie) both of Ruston, Louisiana; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.