Dr. David L. Payne

DR. DAVID L. PAYNE

David LeBaron Payne, age 92, of Overland Park, Kansas, formerly of Columbus, MS went to be with his heavenly Father on February 24, 2020. Visitation will be held Saturday February 29, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the 903 College Street location of Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory. Graveside services will be held by the family graveside at 2:30 pm. at Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, MS, with Rev. Sarah Windham of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

David was born in Gulfport, Mississippi. May 9, 1927. He was the second of two children of John Quincy Adams and Mabel Evelyn Franklin Payne. He graduated from Gulfport High School, Perkinston Junior College (AA), Mississippi State University (BS, MS), University of Alabama (MS), and The University of Southern Mississippi (Ed. D.)

He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine Marling Payne, his son John Quincy Adams Payne II, and his sister Doy Evelyn Payne Longest.

He is survived by his children: Robert Earl Matthews(Kathleen Matthews) of Madison, MS; Debbie Payne Gibson (Rodney Gibson) of Lenexa, KS; and Marlene Payne Townsend of Brandon, MS. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Russell Matthews, Bradley Matthews (Courtney Matthews), Jennifer Gibson Summerlin, Dava Gibson Jackson (Spence Jackson), Angie Gibson Harkins, and Nicholas Townsend. His great grandchildren include: Maddie Matthews, Rachel Matthews, R.J. Summerlin, Haley Summerlin, Spencer Jackson, LoriAnne Jackson, Jack Harkins,  Maddie Harkins, Liam Townsend, and Rowan Townsend. And his great, great grandson: Everett Summerlin.

David’s entire adult life was centered around his family and his career in public education. His education related career ranged from an elementary school teacher and librarian to the Director and Professor of Library Services at Mississippi University for Women. His professional memberships included The Mississippi Library Association, Southeastern Library Association, American Library Association, The Association of College and Research Libraries, and The Mississippi Genealogical Society. In 1972 he was named as an Outstanding Educator of America, along with membership in honor societies; Pi Gamma Mu, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Alpha Theta, Alpha Kappa Delta, Alpha Beta Alpha, and Lambda Chi Alpha.

Another important facet of his life was his involvement and leadership in fraternal organizations: Masonic Lodges, Shrine Temples, Order of the Eastern Star, The Scottish Rite, The Odd Fellows, as well as The Mississippi Society, The Sons of the American Revolution, and The Sons of Confederate Veterans. David was a faithful lifelong member of the United Methodist Church culminating with his membership at Wesley United Methodist Church in Columbus, MS.

In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to: Shriners Hospitals for Children P O Box 1525 Ranson, WV 25438 shrinershospitalsforchildren. org

or Palmer Home for Children P O Box 746 Columbus, MS 39703 palmerhome.org