John Henry Alexander Waddell, 70, peacefully transitioned to glory on Monday, February 13, 2023. He was born on April 5, 1952, in Winston-Salem, NC, to Paul Joseph Cooke and Hattie Williams Waddell. He was affectionately known as "Tootie."

He attended the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools and traveled for several years with the Carolina Classic Fair. He was a well-known entrepreneur who sold WSSU Sweatshirts throughout the city. John attended The Trinity Center of Winston-Salem for over 15 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Daisy Mae El, Betty Jean Graham, and Elaine Waddell, and three brothers, Bobby James Waddell, Paul Joseph Waddell, and Joseph Irvin Waddell.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Alice Waddell; two sons, Airmuss (Kentia) Nivens and Jonathan McCluney; eight additional children, Christina (Branden) Hayes, Archie (Mercy) Johnson, Mercy (Ashanti) McDowell, Buster Johnson, Othello (Ivy) Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Peter Johnson, and Gabriel Johnson; eighteen grandchildren Eddison, Emmerson, JeQuaris Nivens, Amya Bailey, Comfort Beene, Chris, and Braxten Hayes, Benjamin Johnson, Iesha, Ashantel, Ashanti, and Amhad McDowell, Nyomi McAllister, Norah, and Ruby Johnson, Alisha Johnson, Andrew Johnson, and Comfort Favor Chea; three sisters, Roberta Whisonant, Ernestine (Richard) Miller, and Pauline Cole; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00noon Friday, February 24, 2023, at The Trinity Center of Winston-Salem, 5307 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27127, with Pastor Joseph A. Miller, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Gur Cemetery, Kernersville, NC. The family visitation will be held from 11:30 am until 12 noon on Friday at the Church.