Ernest Payne

Ernest K. Payne, 89, of 262 Arnett Blvd., Danville, VA, died on April 26, 2019 after a brief decline in health.  Ernest was the son of James H. Payne and Lessie Prather Payne.  Ernest married Ruth Slaughter on July 16, 1947, who predeceased him on January 18, 2009.  He retired from Goodyear Tire.  He was of Baptist faith. Ernest served in the Virginia National Guard and the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Ernest is survived by a daughter, Susan Herndon and her husband Steve, of Danville, VA, and a son, Mark Payne and his wife Kelley, of Pelham, NC; three grandchildren, Beth Sutliff and her husband James, of West Melbourne, FL, Emily Sparks and her husband Jason, of Danville, and Nikki Johnston and her husband R.L., of Danville; six great-grandchildren, Ella, Eli, Hailey, Kiersten, Skylar and Caleb. In addition to his wife, Ernest was predeceased by one grandchild, Stacey Herndon, four brothers, Wilford Payne, Joseph Payne, James Payne, and Roy V. Payne, three sisters, Blanch Reid, Ruth D. Payne and Virginia Moorefield. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, April 28, 4:00 p.m. at Townes Funeral Home by the Reverends Doug Barber and Robert Vermillion.  The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 4:00, prior to the service, at Townes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, Virginia 24541.