Russell Lee Payne, 94, of Mont Elery Farm Laurel Mills, VA passed peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the UVA Culpeper Medical Center in Culpeper, VA. He was born on June 7, 1929 in Washington, VA to the late George William and Annie Fincham Payne.
Lee and his son, Kenny, founded R. Lee Payne & Son (dba Payne Pools & Spas) in 1973 and the business recently celebrated its 50th year anniversary. However, his lifelong love was cattle and farming. He and his wife Dede raise prized black angus cattle and he was out on the farm every day until just recently. When he was younger he was an avid rider and instilled an intense love of horses and riding in his children. He was an ardent foxhunter and he and Dede continue to be proud members of The Rappahannock Hunt.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Luther, George William, Jack, James, Gladys, Lorena, Annie, Warren, Aileen and Fred. He was also preceded in death by his first wife (and his children’s Mother), Edna Johnston Payne. Lee is survived by his wife of 46 years, Deirdre (DeDe Munro) of Laurel Mills, Kenneth Lee Payne and his wife Susie of Culpeper, Janet Payne OKeefe of Pawleys Island, SC and Jean Payne Martin of Catlett. Additional survivors include four grandchildren, Thomas Lee Payne, Shannon Saulter, W.K. Jones and his wife Tabatha, and Gregory Martin and his wife Kaiulani; and nine great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 2pm on Thursday, November 9 at the Saint Paul’s Episcopal Churchyard, 904 Hawlin Road, Woodville, VA 22749
In lieu of flowers Lee would love for everyone to take time for a big ice cream cone (or better yet a banana split!) and to please take care of each other.
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