"I have made my peace with God. I hope that everyone forgives me for anything I've done to hurt them, and I forgive as well. I love everybody and I am ready to move on now!"

Thomas Alvin Payne was born on December 12, 1950, to the late Reuben Aloysious Payne and Ethel Frances "Maethel" Mondrey Payne in Rustburg, VA. He transitioned from this life peacefully on Monday, June 27, 2022 in the care of the Lynchburg General Hospital Hospice nursing staff.

His brother, Eldridge Adolphus Payne, Sr. and sister, Carolyn Ann Farmer preceded him in death.

Thomas moved to Alexandria, VA in 1966 at the tender age of 16 and was educated in the Alexandria City public school system graduating from T.C. Williams Senior High School in 1969.

He loved his "ole' stomping grounds" as he would say, and to those who affectionately knew him as "Wild Child" you all know why!

In 1970, he married Barbara A. Payne and of this union two daughters were born.

On October 17, 1970 his first baby girl was born, Deshia L. Payne who peacefully transitioned to her eternal resting place on April 2, 2014. He would tell stories of how he and Deshia bonded because when she was little, he took her everywhere with him in her stroller! Before her funeral, he placed the tears of Barbara's, Teshia's, and her niece and nephew on butterfly wings and placed them at her heart before saying, "so long!"

On June 23, 1975, his second baby girl was born, Teshia M. Payne. He told her when he saw the babies in the nursery and looked at her for the first time... he saw the nose, and knew she was his... then he would go on to say... not that I had any doubt of course, it was just the nose... most people think you got Barbara's nose, but noooo.. that's my nose. He loved his girls very much and would often times look at them with amazement and awe; like he was amazed at what HE had created and was very proud!

In 1970 he joined the United States Army and after serving his four years, he received an honorable discharge in 1975. True to form as an inventor/creator, after leaving the Army he went on to work as a civilian/contractor private industry as a database administrator. If you needed something systematically organized, call Thomas! During his career he worked for Bell Atlantic, GTE, and the Newpaper Assocation of America (NAA) in Reston, VA where he retired in 2003.

On August 20, 1988, he married the love of his life Pier A. Haythe-Payne. Pier would say, "he was a loving, faithful, predictable husband, and a good man. If his soul had not been right, I would not have been with him. He was a good person with a good heart!" They lived in Reston, VA until he retired, and they decided to move back to Lynchburg, VA and settled in Gladys, VA until his transition.

Thomas had a great passion and love for jewelry making and did not stop to tell you that he doesn't buy fake sh*t to make, all his sh*t was natural stones. He loved fishing, and he loved research and learning. He told the doctor, "I can't die yet, I haven't researched death and dying enough!" He loved his pets, he loved his burgundy recliner, his cigars, and most of all he loved family. It brought so much joy for him to sit back and watch family, or anybody have a good time. He always wanted to just see a smile on your face... even if he was the reason you were frowning!

Thomas will leave to treasure his most precious memories and carry on his family legacy: His wife of 34 years, Pier; daughter, Teshia; grandson, Kelonte; granddaughter, Maillia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held 11:00AM Saturday, July 09, 2022, at Davis-Turner Funeral Service.