Minister Wayne Russell Arnold, lovingly known as “Woochie” and “Papa Wayne,” peacefully transitioned to eternal rest on January 22, 2026, at home, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Born on December 2, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, to William Henry Arnold and Geneva “Madea” Shaw-Arnold, Wayne was raised in a close-knit, musically gifted family. He shared lifelong bonds with his siblings: Robert “Ninny” Arnold (Elizabeth), Mildred “Sister” Arnold, Wilma “LuLu” Arnold, William “Billy” Arnold, and Peggy “Bay Bay” Arnold. From the age of three, his extraordinary gift for singing was evident, setting the foundation for a life devoted to music and ministry.

Wayne built an accomplished career as a singer, songwriter, and producer. He performed with groups including The Elevations, Revelation Funk, and Lazarus, appeared in the film Dolomite, and graduated with honors from the Fillmore School of Arts and Music in California. Gifted with a five-octave vocal range, he worked with renowned artists and contributed to The Jacksons’ Victory album, earning a double platinum plaque for “We Can Change the World.” His own albums—Welcome to My World, Tough Life, and God’s Living Word (GLW)—reflected his passion for uplifting others through both secular and gospel music.

Firmly rooted in faith, Wayne was baptized at First Apostolic Church in Inglewood, California, and later became an ordained and licensed minister, affectionately known as “Je’hu.” In September 2005, he married the love of his life, Sheila “Shelika” Zeigler-Arnold, and together they shared a life grounded in faith, love, music, and service, including hosting the Urban Contemporary Gospel Music hour Get Up on WTHU 1450 AM in Maryland. Despite an early-onset vascular dementia diagnosis in 2015, he faced his journey with strength, courage, and unwavering faith.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Wayne leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Sheila; his daughters Layne Arnold and Dayne Robinson (Justin); his bonus children Sirr-Melchizedek Fulton (Octavia), Shakinah Fulton, and Sharrell Lupoe (Marcus); his treasured grandchildren Maurice Xavier Farr, Skyi Germany, Malachi Martinez, Kayla Nichols, Jovan Nichols, Marcus Lupoe Jr., and Noble-Sirr Fulton. He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-love, William Harvey Zeigler and Bertha Bowins-Zeigler and his sister, Peggy “Bay Bay” Arnold. Minister Wayne Russell Arnold’s legacy of love, music, and unwavering devotion to God will continue to echo in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.