Lawrence Alfred “Fred” Payne, age 67, of Copperas Cove, Texas passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2020, surrounded by family and friends. He was born to parents Clarence and Mae Payne on March 25, 1953, in Saint John, Antigua, but raised in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Fred graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in June 1972. Following graduation, he worked at Nazareth High School as a teacher’s aide and then a corrections officer before enlisting in the US Army in February 1980. He served as a Motor Transportation Specialist and held various leadership positions while serving at company, platoon, and battalion levels. He excelled to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and worked tirelessly in support of military operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and completed overseas tours in Wiesbaden and Mannheim, Germany. He culminated 23 years of honorable service with the 96TH Transportation Company at Fort Hood, Texas in October 1999.
Fred is best remembered for his love of family. He married the love of his life, Marie, on March 1, 1978, who survives him. The two of them shared 42 wonderful years of marriage and raised 4 beautiful children together. Often referred to as “Pops”, Fred was a pillar and father figure to many young men and women in his community. A devoted father and grandfather, he was always present for every achievement, milestone, and event; especially when cheering them on in any sports they played.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents and sister Lucille Allman.
He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Marie, 4 children, 6 grandchildren, 1 brother and 2 sisters.
Survivors
Children: Niaa Payne, Miaa Pitts, Lawrence Payne, Jr., Tamara Payne
Grandchildren: Makala, Tionna, Jordan, Addison, Amir, Journi
Brother: Clarence D. Payne, Jr.
Sisters: Marjorie Archer, Dorothy Sargeant
And many nieces, nephews, and friends
A visitation for "Fred" will be held Monday, August 17, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Crawford-Bowers, 211 W Ave B, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 10:30 AM, 211 W Ave B, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522. A burial with military honors will occur Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 State Highway 195, Killeen, Texas 76542.
Serving as pallbearers are Lawrence Payne Jr., Curtis Pitts, Steven Payne, Michael Jones, LaVincent Wren, Vontez Duff, Michael Williams, Thomas Hollowell Jordan Payne
Honorary Pallbearers: James Rogers, Tyrone Void and Gerald Lee
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