Decatur County Mourns Longtime Educator J. Wayne Stanfill

J. Wayne Stanfill, a fixture in Decatur County education for more than five decades, died on January 4, 2026. Raised and educated in Decatur County, Stanfill completed undergraduate studies at Bethel University and a master’s degree at Murray State University before beginning a career that would span classrooms, principals’ offices, central administration, and elected governance.

Stanfill began teaching in Hardin County from 1963 to 1967. He served as principal at Scotts Hill from 1967 to 1970 and at Riverside High School from 1970 to 1976. He was appointed Director of Schools for Decatur County in 1976 and led the district through 1996. After a period away from central administration, Stanfill returned to public service as the elected board member for District 2 in 2007, a role he held until his death. In total, he devoted 51 years to public education, working with students, educators, and families across the county.

District leadership and colleagues emphasized Stanfill’s influence on policy and culture in the schools. Director of Schools Melinda Thompson said, “Mr. Stanfill’s impact on Decatur County Schools is immeasurable. His leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to students helped shape our district into what it is today. He believed deeply in education as a calling, and his legacy will continue to influence generations to come.” Board Chairman Kent Whitwell added, “Mr. Stanfill was more than a leader—he was a mentor, a man many of us looked up to, and a friend. His wisdom, integrity, and steady guidance set a standard for leadership and service. He truly cared about people and always kept students at the center of every decision. His influence taught me a great deal, guided our course, and will never be forgotten.” Former director and current board member Rhonda Mitchell reflected, “Mr. Stanfill has been an integral part of the education system for as long as I can remember. He was my principal at Riverside before leading Decatur County Schools in a positive direction. We later served together on the school board, where he continued to push for consistency and high expectations. His intellect, spirituality, and strong moral compass were evident at all times. He will be greatly missed.”

Stanfill’s passing leaves a vacancy on the Decatur County Board of Education for District 2 and removes a long-standing source of institutional memory for district initiatives and mentoring of school leaders. Board deliberations and district planning now must account for the loss of a leader who guided policy and expectations across generations of students. For families and educators, the immediate impact will be felt in the absence of a familiar presence at meetings, in school halls, and in conversations about long-term strategy.

The district has expressed condolences to Stanfill’s family and to the community members who worked with him. As Decatur County schools continue their work, administrators and board members will face the practical and symbolic task of preserving the standards and commitments Stanfill promoted while managing the transition in governance.