Dr. Victor Wayne Bumphus

Dr. Victor "Vic" Wayne Bumphus, age 56, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019 in Chattanooga, TN. He was born on August 30, 1962 in Savannah, TN, the son of the late Virginia Peterson Bumphus and William Hal Bumphus, Sr.

He joined Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Clifton, TN at an early age and received his high school diploma at Frank Hughes School in Clifton, TN. He received a bachelor's degree from MTSU. After earning his bachelor's degree, he served in the United States Army for a number of years before being honorably discharged and then went on to receive his master's degree in criminology and urban studies from the University of Nebraska. He continued his education at Michigan State University where he earned his PhD in social science-criminal justice and criminology. He was the coordinator of the Africana Minor Program and Southeastern Command and Leadership Academy from 2002-2015. He served as a faculty member of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with the department of Criminal Justice and Legal Assistant Studies. He was an influential professor, an inspiration to countless people, a published author and an advocate to anyone in need.

Sometime on Friday evening, he was received into his permanent home with God. Vic loved being around his family, his friends and enjoyed traveling the world.

Besides his parents, two brothers preceded him in death, William Hal Bumphus, Jr. and Duren Bumphus; paternal uncles and aunt, Henry, Raymond, Tom Claude and Peggy Bumphus and one maternal aunt, Loretta Brown.

Left to cherish his memories include, four brothers, Peter Bumphus of Nashville, TN, Keith (Melissa) Bumphus and Alexander Bumphus of Savannah, TN and Dwight (Patty) Bumphus of Clifton, TN; five sisters, Thelma Bumphus, Cynthia Bumphus, Maria Bailey and Natasha (Peter) Ross all of Clifton, TN and Lois (Monroe) Cherry of Savannah, TN; fifteen nieces and nephews, Anthony Bumphus, Felicia Bumphus, Tamarsha Bumphus, Peter Churchwell, Darrell Churchwell, Shamekka Polk, Clarissa Churchwell, Ryan Bumphus, Nicholas Porter, Kanisha Bailey, Ashley Bumphus, Malik Ross, Trey Bumphus, Latrell Bumphus and Jalyn Cherry; a host of great-nieces and nephews; one aunt, Barbara Culp of Clifton, TN; a devoted friend and colleague, Gale Iles as well as Helen Eigenbery, who preceded him in death. He also leaves behind a host of friends, colleagues and extended family members that will treasure their memories of him.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Clifton, Tennessee, with Minister Charles Linam and Pastor Derron Williams officiating. After funeral services and cremation, his cremated remains will be left in the Lizard Glades Cemetery, Clifton, Tennessee with Shackelford Funeral Directors of Wayne County assisting the family. Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 30, 2019 from 10 am to 11 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Kidney Foundation or Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, in Clifton, TN.