Mr. James T. Payne, Sr. was born June 18, 1924 to the late Flavella Evans-Leach and the late Robert C. Payne. He departed this life on January 2, 2011 in the peace and comfort of his home and his own bed. He attended the local public school system and was a graduate of Atkins High School and also completed several addtional courses at Forsyth Technical Institute. He retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company as a Machinist, after 30 years of dedicated service. He was a Veteran of the United States Army serving in France during WWII. He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, the late Winnie Hunter Payne. He leaves to mourn: his oldest daughter, Maxine P. Charles (Wiley) of Washington, DC and theier son, Austin; daughter, Sharon P. Wells of the home and her son, athaniel and lastly, his son, James T. Payne, Jr. (Bonnie) of Chester, VA and their son, James, III of Fridley, MN. He also leaves a great granddaughter, Imani Payne and countless other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 8, 2011 in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. The family will greet friends 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery.