He was born to Leonard and Laura Payne on December 27, 1938 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma and moved to Tivoli, Texas in 1941. He met the love of his life, Maryolyn Jones, in Houston and the couple married a year later on May 20, 1959. In their 62 years together, he found great joy in raising their two daughters, Deanna and Cristalin “Cristy” in Bloomington. His joy continued to grow with their grandchildren, who he often loved praying, camping, and gardening with. He also took great pride in giving “driving lessons”. Tommy began work at Union Carbide at 21 years old as a Shift Operator. In his 33 years there, he advanced to Shift Supervisor and became Emergency Director before retiring at 54. He enjoyed traveling, cooking, dominoes, floating the Frio, caring for his orange and fig trees, coffee with his retired friends, listening to Rush, and getting the scoop on politics. He was known to his family as the master handyman. He also loved to fish and flounder, play cards with his wife and friends, and spend time with their dogs. Tommy devoted much of his free time to serving alongside his wife at Family Worship Center for over 20 years. He never hesitated to volunteer and help out whenever a need arose.
Tommy is survived by his wife, Maryolyn Payne; his sister, Alene Gray; his children, Deanna Williamson (David) and Cristy Autry (Kirk); his grandchildren, Jamie Zeller (Ben), Ryan King (Jessica), Jenna Richardson (Adam), Landon Autry (Dasia), Joel Williamson (Kelsey), Aaron King (Laura), and Lindy Sappington (Justin); and his 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Laura Payne and brothers Ira Payne and Stanley Payne.
Visitation with the family will be from 3-5 PM in Victoria at Rosewood Funeral Chapels on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, January 10, 2022 at Family Worship Center with Pastor CE Smith officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ryan King, Aaron King, Joel Williamson, Ben Zeller, Landon Autry, Adam Richardson and Justin Sappington
Memorials may be made to Family Worship Center, 501, Sam Houston Drive, Victoria, TX 77901.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
