Ralph Eugene Payne
Roper Funeral Home and Crematory<br />206 Holly St<br />Jasper, GA 30143<br />(706) 253-7500<br />(706) 253-0040<br />www.roperfuneralhome.com<br /><br /><br />Reverend Gene Payne, age 92, of Chattanooga, Tennessee parted this life on January 16, 2021. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He served the Lord diligently and with his whole heart. He loved God, his family and his friends.<br /><br />He was preceded in death by his parents, Beulah and Milton Payne; his sisters, Lois Ray and Theresa Slayton; and his daughter, Jennifer Bailes.<br /><br />Gene is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara Payne; three daughters, Gail White, Patty Stewart, and Joy Lawson; nine grandchildren, Holli White, Buffi Stanley, Barry and Joshua Hawkins, Amy Clark, Meredith and Blaire Carr, Natalie and Cassidy Bailes and eighteen grandchildren, KarliAnn and Briley Kimsey, Jonah and Brady Clark, Caslin and Chloe Hawkins, Darbi and Aubri Stanley, Kaiden Stewart and Jaycelyn Hawkins, Elijah, Kaelyn, Gabryell and Emerson Bailes, Ellie and Amelia Riselvato, Lowan and Rowan Carr.<br /><br />Gene played baseball in his youth and was offered a position in professional baseball, but he chose to be a servant of God.<br /><br />He first served as Minister of Music at Mikado Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. He was then called to Hardison Baptist Church in Byron, Georgia as the Minister. He then went to Talmadge Heights Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia and to Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He then moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to Friendship Baptist Church where he served for 29 years and retired there.<br /><br />One of his greatest gifts was music. Gene and Barbara sang together for many years and Gene sang solos for his entire life. He had a beautiful lyrical tenor voice. He played the trombone, directed the choir, led congregations and composed music.<br /><br />He loved baseball and basketball and was a loud and animated fan. He loved being and working outside. He enjoyed all the beauty God created.<br /><br />He was a prayer warrior. He prayed constantly and was committed to praying for his family, his church and the needs of others. His prayers were powerful. His faith, consistency, kindness and encouragement were legendary. His passion was winning souls for Christ and telling people about the Lord. He loved "His Girls" and constantly reinforced this until his last days.<br /><br />He had a radio ministry for many years and his sign off was always, "Keep Looking Up. Jesus Is Coming Soon!" He would want everyone to remember this promise. He will be missed.<br /> <br />There will be a memorial service held at Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. (friendshipraleigh.org)<br /><br />Online condolences may be made at www.roperfuneralhome.com. <br /><br /><br />Obituary
Roper Funeral Home and Crematory
206 Holly St
Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-7500
(706) 253-0040
www.roperfuneralhome.com
Reverend Gene Payne, age 92, of Chattanooga, Tennessee parted this life on January 16, 2021. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He served the Lord diligently and with his whole heart. He loved God, his family and his friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Beulah and Milton Payne; his sisters, Lois Ray and Theresa Slayton; and his daughter, Jennifer Bailes.
Gene is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara Payne; three daughters, Gail White, Patty Stewart, and Joy Lawson; nine grandchildren, Holli White, Buffi Stanley, Barry and Joshua Hawkins, Amy Clark, Meredith and Blaire Carr, Natalie and Cassidy Bailes and eighteen grandchildren, KarliAnn and Briley Kimsey, Jonah and Brady Clark, Caslin and Chloe Hawkins, Darbi and Aubri Stanley, Kaiden Stewart and Jaycelyn Hawkins, Elijah, Kaelyn, Gabryell and Emerson Bailes, Ellie and Amelia Riselvato, Lowan and Rowan Carr.
Gene played baseball in his youth and was offered a position in professional baseball, but he chose to be a servant of God.
He first served as Minister of Music at Mikado Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. He was then called to Hardison Baptist Church in Byron, Georgia as the Minister. He then went to Talmadge Heights Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia and to Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He then moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to Friendship Baptist Church where he served for 29 years and retired there.
One of his greatest gifts was music. Gene and Barbara sang together for many years and Gene sang solos for his entire life. He had a beautiful lyrical tenor voice. He played the trombone, directed the choir, led congregations and composed music.
He loved baseball and basketball and was a loud and animated fan. He loved being and working outside. He enjoyed all the beauty God created.
He was a prayer warrior. He prayed constantly and was committed to praying for his family, his church and the needs of others. His prayers were powerful. His faith, consistency, kindness and encouragement were legendary. His passion was winning souls for Christ and telling people about the Lord. He loved "His Girls" and constantly reinforced this until his last days.
He had a radio ministry for many years and his sign off was always, "Keep Looking Up. Jesus Is Coming Soon!" He would want everyone to remember this promise. He will be missed.
There will be a memorial service held at Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. (friendshipraleigh.org)
Online condolences may be made at www.roperfuneralhome.com.
Events
11:00 AM
Raleigh, NC 27609