Michael Anthony Payne

June 19, 1958 - November 8, 2019

Life’s Journey “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before GOD in the light of life”. Psalms 56:13 Michael Anthony Payne was born June 19,1958 in Fort Smith, Arkansas on Ft. Chaffee Army Base. He departed this life November 8, 2019 at home and his last breath was taken in his Uncle James Shaffer arms. Michael graduated high school in 1977 from Silver Creek High School in San Jose, CA. After graduation, he moved back to Helena, AR. During his lifetime he worked at Helena Chemical and WH Street & Sanitation Department. He was baptized and united with King Solomon Church under the leadership of the late Reverend PL Perkins. Michael loved life and loved to walk and was helpful in every way possible to his family, friends and others. He was very independent and extremely humble until his last breath. He was preceded in death by (Parents) Walter Lewis Payne Sr & Ethel Lee Shaffer-Payne; (Siblings) Carolyn Jean Payne, William Edward Payne and Patricia Ann Payne-Perdue. (Maternal Grandparents) Osie & Mattie Lee Shaffer; (Paternal Grandparents) Tom & Carrie Lena Payne. He leaves to cherish his memories(Brothers) Walter Payne Jr. & Darryl Payne (Janine) of West Helena, AR; (Sisters) Pamela Payne of West Helena, AR; Donna Payne-Haliburton (Rick) of Atlanta, GA; (Brother-In-Law) Timmie Perdue Sr of Atlanta, GA; (Nieces & Nephews) Celeste Payne, Shanedra (Sam) Barnes, Devron Payne, Jazmine Pruitt, Mary, Walter, Michael, Darryan and Tina Marie Payne; (Great Niece & Nephews) Cedrien Payne-English, Shelbi, Sullivan and Sean Barnes,(Great-Great Nephew) Cameron English. (Very Special Cousin) Debbie Jean Bryant; (Aunts & Uncles) Verna Kolen, Osie Shaffer Jr, James Shaffer and Claudette (Harold) Evans. (Cousin aka Brother) G.W. Kolen (Karen). Broken Chain We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we love you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you the day God called you Home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. Active Pallbearers John Henry Bryant Andrew Jackson Lawrence Lee Bryant John Kines Carl Ray Hoskins Roger Versey Honorary Pallbearers Sullivan Barnes Sean Barnes Sam Barnes Jr Devron Payne Cedrien Payne-English Cameron English Acknowledgment THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL ANTHONY PAYNE is deeply grateful for your words of encouragement and comfort, resolutions, calls, cards, flowers, food and other act of kindness. We thank GOD for the fervent prayers said on our behalf. Thank you for being here for us as we accept God’s will. May God’s abundant blessings continue to be with you always. We thank everyone who helped assist with Michael during his time here in Arkansas. A SPECIAL THANKS TO RODERICK AUSTIN, DEBBIE JEAN BRYANT, *DOMINIQUE DAVIS, JANIE DAVIS, MONICA GANT, CHERYL McGINISTER, TRACIE PARTEE, ETHEL ROBINSON-WHITMAN, JELESIA RUSSELL AND CYNETHIA STEPHENS FOR MAKING MICHAEL’S LIFE FULL OF FUN, HAPPINESS, JOY, LAUGHTER, LOVE AND PEACE. The Payne Family