Thomas Wilson Payne, Sr.

Thomas Wilson Payne, Sr. of Richmond, VA passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Lakewood Manor, from cancer. He was 97 years old.
Tom, as he was known by, was born in Ransomville, NC on October 18, 1920. He was the son of Thomas Sparrow Payne and Nannie Herrington Payne.
Tom graduated from Bath High School, Bath NC. in 1938, as the Valedictorian of his class.
In 1941, he moved to Virginia. He worked on the Seaboard Railroad. He served in the Navy during WWII. After the war, he went back to work for Seaboard Railroad. In 1949 and until sometime in 1955 he worked for Richmond Cedar Works of Great Bridge VA, as a sales manager.
In June 1955, he moved to Petersburg, VA where he went into partnership with several others to start Payne & Gunderson Lumber Company, a wholesale lumber business. He retired as President in 1988. From 1989 until his death he served as the Chairman of Board for another family business, Payne Forest Products Inc.
Tom and his wife Sadie spent most of their married life in Petersburg, VA. It was here that they raised their two children, Vickie and Tom, Jr. Tom was active in his Church and in his community. Being a born-again Christian, his faith was very important to him. He was a member of West End Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, VA. He was a Sunday School Teacher and served on various committees. He was an Elder at his Church and was established as an Elder Emeritus. Tom was also a strong supporter of West End Christian School, which was run by his church. He served as the Chairman of the board of the school’s committee for 15 years.
Tom was active in Gideons International. He worked in the Gideon camps in Hopewell, VA and Petersburg, VA, where he also served as a treasurer. He was a strong supporter of missions, especially through his church and Billy Graham ministries. He supported the Boy Scouts of America. He worked with Troop 180 out of Petersburg, VA which is the Troop his son Tom, Jr and nephew Van Smathers were both members and was proud to see both become Eagle Scouts.
Tom loved his family, working in the yard, gardening, and spending time at his summer home on the Pamlico River in Bath, North Carolina. The river brought him peace. He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family, and watching the sunsets and the moonlight on the water. Tom was a great husband, father, and grandfather. He was a great provider. One of his greatest accomplishments was to pay for and witness his daughter Vickie and son, Tom, Jr receive their four-year college diploma. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren, Wil. Samantha, and Meaghan grow up and was proud of each one of them.
In 1999, Tom and his wife Sadie moved to an apartment at Lakewood Manor in Richmond, VA. Here they made many new friends and enjoyed their life together. He continued to stay involved in various things. He loved his independence and continued driving his car until January of 2017. Tom became ill and had to be moved to healthcare at Lakewood Manor on April 2, 2018. Here he received many visits from family and friends. He made sure Vickie and Tom, Jr took care of the last things on his “bucket list”. This included making sure that his wife Sadie was taken care of and in a good place which turned out to be the room right next to him in healthcare. Tom and Sadie were able to spend his last days together. This included a visit from their friends from West End Presbyterian Church on April 13th and a celebration of their life together. On April the 14th of this year, Tom & Sadie celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary with their family.
Tom received great care from his personal doctor, Dr. Robert Cross of Partner MD. He received great care and comfort from all associated with Medi Home Hospice. He also received great care from the nurses, aides, and others associated with Lakewood Manor. His family greatly appreciates it.
Thomas Wilson Payne, Sr. is survived by his wife Sadie Lane Payne, his daughter Vickie Payne Ritter, his son Thomas Wilson Payne, Jr and daughter in-law Susan Rene Manuel Payne. He is also survived by his grandchildren Thomas Wilson (Wil) Payne, III, Samantha J. Payne and Meaghan A. Payne. Additionally, he is survived by his sister Mary P. Creed (Bill) and her children, his nephew Vance A. Smathers, Jr (Mary) and niece Ann Johnson (Paul) and all their children.
The Funeral will be held at J T Morriss & Son Funeral Home, Chester Chapel located at 3050 W. Hundred Road, Chester, VA. 23831. The body can be viewed on Friday, May 4th at J T Morriss for anyone who wants to pay their respects but is unable to come to the funeral. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 5th from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The Funeral will follow the visitation at 12:00 noon. The burial will occur at Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Road, Petersburg, VA 23805 at 3:00 PM.
Flowers are to be sent to J T Morriss & Son Funeral Home, Chester Chapel, 3050 W. Hundred Road, Chester, VA. 23831. In lieu of flowers, please donate in honor and memory of Thomas Wilson Payne, Sr in one of three ways. Contribute to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The best way to do this is to go to their website and it will take you step by step and how to do it. ( https://billygraham.org/checkout/give-honor-memorial.php #) Contribute to Gideons International. Find a local chapter in your area or go online. Contribute to his home church, West End Presbyterian Church, located at 1600 Atlantic Street, Hopewell, VA. 23860. The family appreciates your prayers and support.