Lewis Payne

Lewis Payne, 71, of Baytown, TX was born “just ahead of the snow” December 21, 1935 in Grapeland, TX, and passed away Saturday, February 10, 2007 in a Houston hospice. He was a 1954 graduate of Cedar Bayou High School and a member of Memorial Baptist Church. He retired from GEON Chemical Plant in 1999 following 39 years of dedicated service. He was an avid reader and enjoyed attending various author book signings. He was a skilled handyman and woodworker who enjoyed completing many and varied projects for his wife, daughters, grandchildren and friends. He was lovingly referred to as “Mr. Fix-It” by all who knew him. He also loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycles. Assisted by his wife, he liked to work in his yard, as evidenced by the number of times that the Lakewood subdivision “Yard of the Month” sign was placed in their yard. He was known for his precision and mastery of lawn mowing. Out of all of things that he enjoyed, it was his family that brought him the most joy. The best gift he gave to his wife, daughters, grandchildren and extended family was uninterrupted time, love and devotion. Lewis was a very special man and was loved by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Alma Payne and sister and brother-in-law, Noma and Johnie Durnell and is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley Payne of Baytown; daughters and sons-in-law, Terresa and Greg Katt of College Station, Lisa and Steve Watkins of Baytown, and Tracey and Bobby Baillio of Tomball; brother and sister-in-law, Charles Junior and Doris Ann Payne of Friendswood; and grandchildren, Melissa, Brandon, and Ryan Watkins, Lindsey Katt, and Zachary and Hayden Baillio.

Serving as pallbearers will be Greg Katt, Steve Watkins, Bobby Baillio, Curt Flippo, Marshall Nay, and Bennie Simkins. Honorary paulbearers will be Garnett Jones, Roy Cone and Jimmy McKey.

His family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Melvin Marx officiating. A graveside service for his family will follow at the Field Store Cemetery in Waller, TX at 3:00 p.m.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at the Cypress Station Hampton Hospice and the nurses at the St. Luke’s ICU 5, 7 South for the love, kindness and tender care provided to our dear dad and husband. Also special thanks to the staff at the Barbers Hill Kindergarten Center, BHISD employees along with Forest Ridge Elementary and CSISD employees in College Station, TX. In addition, we express our appreciation to our family and friends for the support provided during this very difficult time.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521, (281) 422-8111.