Tommy Joe Payne Sr Rev.

Tommy Joe Payne, Sr., 82, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 23, 2013. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00PM on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2:00PM in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. Tommy was born July 22, 1930 in Nettleton, Mississippi to Ewell and Vera Payne. He was married in 1954 to the late Robbie Anna Sutherland Payne of Abbeville, SC. Tommy graduated from Swain County High School in Bryson City, NC where his parents were missionaries to the Cherokee Indians. He graduated from Carson Newman College where he served as senior class president. After graduation, he entered the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His first pastorate was at Beulah Baptist Church in South Boston, VA. After serving in Sharpsburg, N.C. and Robersonville, N.C, he was called in 1966 to start a new church in Greenville, N.C. Originally on the campus of East Carolina University, Tommy led the 39 members known as Oakmont Baptist through construction of a new building on Red Banks Road and to a congregation of several hundred members. Tommy was heavily involved in the community of Greenville, NC. For 10 years, he a member of the early morning television show, Carolina Today, where he interviewed local, state and national celebrities, politicians and farmers. His ministry continued at Pactolus Baptist during which time he also worked for the National Institute on Drugs and Alcohol in Washington, DC. Tommy's commitment to education and ministry led him to positions as Trustee and Board member at Mars Hill College, Campbell University, The Biblical Recorder and the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission. Throughout his life, Tommy traveled to more than 59 countries. He loved all forms of sports, especially when played by J.H Rose High School, ECU, Wake Forest or Alabama. He is survived by his children, Tommy Joe and Dayna Payne of Winston-Salem, NC, Anna Marie Payne and Steve Rogers of Greensboro, NC and Laurie Ann Payne and David Whitmire of Abbeville, SC; his grandchildren, Sarah Barkley Rogers, Anna Payne Rogers, Grace Anne Whitmire, William Payne Whitmire and Kate Kramer; and his brother, Bill Payne of Pickens, SC. The family wishes to thank his faithful caregivers, doctors, nurses and staff and all who have made visits, sent cards and remembered him in their prayers. In lieu of flowers, gifts will be gratefully accepted at First Baptist Church in Abbeville, SC for their programs for youth and missions, P.O. Box 825, Abbeville, SC 29620. The family is at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Whitmire in Abbeville, SC. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES of Abbeville is assisting the Payne family.