Eugene " Gene " Payne

Eugene “Gene” Payne, of Kannapolis, passed away Saturday afternoon, February 20, 2021, at Atrium Health Cabarrus, following a period of declining health.

Born September 18, 1946, in Cabarrus County, he was a son of the late Tyre Lee and Texie Pharr Payne.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tyre Hugh Payne.

Gene was a 1965 graduate of A. L. Brown, later continuing his education at Rowan Tech.  He had honorably served his country with the US Navy during Vietnam. Mr. Payne had worked as a maintenance specialist for Cannon Mills for 30 years, Corning Inc, later retiring from Synder-Lance Inc. of Charlotte. A loyal and active member of West Point Baptist Church, he had served in various capacities within the church, including volunteering with the food ministry programs. Gene loved his family, his Lord and the song, “Amazing Grace”.  He enjoyed time spent with family, traveling, day trips, surf fishing and watching sports. A loving and devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather, Gene will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Loving family members include his devoted wife of 41 years, Glynda Payne; his children, Stephanie Mitchem-Johnson (Carl Johnson), and Matt Chadwick (Erica), his grandchildren, Tim Mitchem (Melissa), Colby Johnson (Heather), and Jaylin, Jackson and Bradley Chadwick; great-grandchildren, Wynona and Westley Mitchem; his sister, Myra Payne, nieces and nephews; and special family members, William and Leila Gibson and family of Palmer, Alaska.

A memorial service to remember and celebrate the life of Mr. Payne will be scheduled at a later date.