Melvin Payne

Obituary: Melvin Payne, age 70, died Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the Bob & Carolyn Tucker Hospice House, Kannapolis, NC after a lengthy illness. He was born May 29, 1939 in Madison County, the son of the late Eules Roper Payne and Lavonia Mazelle Smith. He was employed in trucking for over 30 years having driven for Bowman, Lee, V.J. Jeanswear. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Family members remember him as a devoted racing fan pulling for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by two brothers, Grady Payne and Gene Payne. The funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Curtis Parker. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the funeral home. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Phyllis Funderburk Payne; two step-daughters, Tamara Sullivan of Kannapolis, NC and Sharon Walker of Durham, NC; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Pat Payne of Kannapolis, NC and Willie Payne of Albemarle, NC; one nephew, Keith Payne & wife, Lori of Kannapolis, NC; and one niece, Penny Payne of Albemarle, NC. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 pm, Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park