Eugene Payne

A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, December, 13, 2019, from McClain-Hays Funeral Home, located 1002 Main Street in Philadelphia, MS.   Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service.  A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. at Gulde Cemetery near Pelahatchie, MS.  McClain-Hays Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  On Sunday, December 8, 2019, Eugene David Payne, loving husband and father of two children, passed away at the age of 78.  Eugene was born on January 23, 1941, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Roy and Mary Alice Payne.  On August 25, 1962, he married Frances Louise Salley and they raised two sons, David and Kevin.  Eugene was part of the Raymond High School Class of 1961, and he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Mississippi College in Clinton in 1964.  Eugene inherited a gift from his father, Roy, and that gift was the ability to fix, or build, just about anything.  From a clubhouse in the backyard to installing a giant piece of machinery in a manufacturing plant, he could make it look easy.  He worked as a plant manager for U. S. Rubber Reclaiming in Vicksburg, Mississippi, until his retirement after over 30 years of service to the company.  He worked as a bus driver for Neshoba County schools after retirement.  He was known for his can do attitude and positive spirit, and he will be dearly missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him.  Survivors include his devoted wife, Frances Payne, sons/spouses, David and Tammy Payne of Vicksburg, MS, Kevin and Anne Payne of Union, MS; grandchildren, Robyn Johnson, Summer Payne, Autumn Payne, Katelyn Payne, Michael Hackett; and two great-grandchildren. Eugene was preceded in death by his father, Roy; his mother, Mary Alice; his sisters, Marjorie and Myrna; and brother, Roy Clifford, Jr. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Blair E. Batson’s Children Hospital, or your favorite charity.