Mr. Gary Payne

PAYNE, Mr. Gary - Age 73, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024 at his residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, October 5, 2024 at First Trinity Baptist Church, 1226 Beach St., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Pastor James C. Fair, officiating. Interment Evergreen Cemetery, G-3415 E. Hill Rd., Grand Blanc, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday, October 5, 2024. Mr. Payne will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed Friday, October 4, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Gary Lyn Payne, the only son born to Addie Eutrilla (Jones) and Lawson Lyn Payne transitioned at home surrounded by family on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, after bravely enduring a long battle with metastasized prostate cancer. He was 73. Gary, the second baby born on January 1, 1951, in Charleston, West Virginia, was the fourth of five siblings. He moved to Detroit with his parents and younger sister, “Cissy”, when he was 16 years old as part of the Great Migration. Gary graduated from Northwestern High School in 1968 and began college at Eastern Michigan University later that year. During his first day on campus, he saw and met the love of his life, Beverley. They dated throughout college and married on August 4, 1973. “Making her laugh, making her smile, making her happy was my purpose,” Gary said. Their romance and his love for Beverley were known to all and served as a shining example to his children. Gary and Beverley had three daughters, Tamika, Crystal, and Ashley.. No matter how old they were, they continued to call him “Daddy.” He became “Papa” upon the birth of his first grandson, Vic in 2013. DJ and Aby soon followed in 2015 and 2017. He loved his grandchildren, and they shared a special bond with their Papa. Gary joined the local phone company – now AT&T – in 1975, and quickly became known as “Mr. Telephone man” (a.k.a. GLPhone). He was proud of his work and loved connecting with people. He shared stories with anyone who would listen (or not), pointing out various telephone boxes and poles around the area. Despite retiring 35 years later, he continued to regale friends and family with all those stories! Gary was a dedicated member of First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. He served as part of the security ministry, male chorus, and community outreach ministry, helping weekly with water drives for Flint. Gary loved his family, and with his wife, they created a home that welcomed all; filled with laughter, joy, family and friends. He immaculately cared for his home–he was known to dedicate an entire Saturday to mowing the lawn with precise lines with music in the background. Gary would mow the front yard, then nap, trim the hedges, then nap, pick up the apples, then nap, mow the backyard, then nap, trim the fruit trees, then nap. Holidays were always boisterous and loving; Gary typically ended the evening napping in his La-Z-Boy (remote under hand). He instilled the importance of family and taught his daughters to remain close no matter life's obstacles. Gary’s extroverted nature created a space for those around him to feel accepted, seen, and loved. He had the ability to converse with anyone; often to the chagrin of his impatient family. He enjoyed socializing with lifelong friends. From going to the movies with Larry Reynolds to hanging at the lake for fishing trips with Lloyd Brackins–though he rarely fished. Gary loved to travel, from family summer road trips to visit relatives to international travel with Beverley after they retired. They cruised with friends around the world and even visited Tamika and Kim while they lived in Sierra Leone, West Africa and later Tamika in Geneva, Switzerland. Gary loved music, frequenting live music concerts and jazz clubs in New York. While Daddy to his girls, he was a father figure to many more, including Ricardo (Steve) Lewin and Michael Green. He held a special place in his heart for his wife’s family; including aunt Marjorie “Polly” Walters who was a consistent presence as he raised his family and “cousin” Rose Harris. He was preceded in death by his soulmate Beverley Natalee (Allen) Payne. His parents Addie Eutrilla (Jones) and Lawson Lyn Payne and his older sister Sharon “Nookie” (Woodson) Brown. Gary is survived by his three daughters Tamika Danette (Kimberly S. Johnson) Payne, Crystal Lynn Douglas, Ashley Nicole (Victor Alan Jr.) Young; three grandchildren Victor Alan Young III ‘Vic’, Daron L. Douglas Jr. “DJ”, and Autumn Beverley Young “Aby”. He is survived by three sisters Seretha “Susie” (Woodson) Saunders, Judith (Woodson) Hilliard, and Catherine “Cissy” Payne. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Mr. Gary Payne

January 1, 1951 - September 21, 2024