Samuel "Ray" Raymond Payne
02/09/1934 - 12/06/2020
Graveside services will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11th, at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie, with Rev. Chris Litt officiating.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 10th, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask and practice safe social distancing.
Ray was born February 9, 1934 in Colony, OK to Eugene and Agnes (Chastain) Payne. He graduated from high school in Weatherford, OK, and went on to serve his country in the United States Army from 1954-1956.
On June 7, 1957, Ray married Melba McCormick in Cloud Chief, OK. Ray surrendered himself to ministry in 1957, and went to Marlow, OK to attend Bible College for 6 years. During his 55 years of ministry, he was a pastor at several churches, and a missionary in Australia for 14 years. He loved studying the word of God and reading to his grandchildren. Ray will be remembered for be being a very loving, kind, and encouraging man.
He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Marsha Smith, brother Gareld Payne, and sisters Janalee Alvis and Lynn Dita Jones.
Ray is survived by his wife of 63 years, Melba Payne of Bowie; son Ray Payne of Haslet, TX; grandchildren Rebekah Payne of Bowie, Miranda Payne of Electra, TX, Adrian Smith of Wichita Falls, TX, Damien Smith of Electra, TX, and Arik Payne and wife of Colorado; 7 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.