Richard Payne

Richard "Earl" Payne, 82, passed away peacefully with family by his side Tuesday, July 23, 2013.
Earl was born to the late Charlie "CJ" and Onnie Payne July 31, 1930 in Shelby, NC. In 1949, he graduated from Bethware High School, and twenty years after graduation, he began attending Gaston College, obtaining an Associate's degree in business administration and accounting while maintaining a GPA of 3.759. In 1950, he married Mary Evelene Wells Payne; the couple resided in Bessemer City and just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.
Earl served in the United States Army ranking Sergeant First Class. A well-known and loved member of the community, he served as the Post Master of Bessemer City and also co-founded and volunteered on the Bessemer City Area Patrol. A contributor of Westview Baptist Church, Earl's passions included golfing and security, working as an avid security guard at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
Earl is survived by his beloved wife, Evelene; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Rhonda Payne of Bessemer City; and sister, Shirley Hoppes of Shelby, NC. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Tiffany, Zachary, and Taylor Payne.
Receiving of friends will be held from 6:00-8:00pm Wednesday at Sisk-Butler Funeral Home in Bessemer City. The funeral service will take place Thursday at 11:00am at Westview Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Millwood officiating. Interment will follow at Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery.
The family would like to offer special thanks to our Westview Baptist Church family. Sisk-Butler Funeral Directors will be serving the family.