Reverend Isaiah J. Waddy was born to Isaiah R. and Lloyd Hall Waddy in Thomasville, Georgia. The oldest of four children, Rev. Waddy was educated in the public school system of Thomasville, Georgia and Patterson, New School, Rev. Waddy attended Albany State University in Albany, Georgia.

His college education was interrupted with three years in the United States Army where he served in Vietnam. After his military career he returned to Albany State University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 1974. Rev. Waddy continued his studies at Valdosta State University (M.S. 1986) Valdosta, Georgia; and the Interdenominational Theological Center (M. DIV. 1987) Atlanta, Georgia.