Payne, Charles Marcellus, Sr. (Age 91) of Herndon, Virginia.

Obituary

Charles "Marcellus" Payne was born on January 16, 1922 in Watson, Virginia to Landon and Maud Thornton Payne. He was the youngest of three children. His siblings were Thelma Clarene Whiteside and Thornton Payne. After his parents passed away, he was raised by his Uncle Ed and Aunt Sarah Thornton who gladly welcomed him in with their own 13 children. He attended school in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Marcellus volunteered for the U.S. Army where he served in World War II as a Technician Fourth Grade and was honorably discharged in January 1946 from the 272nd Fort Company. His military service took him to Germany and Belgium. He would often reflect on landing on the beaches of Normandy and was thankful it was after the initial invasion. He sailed on The Queen Elizabeth and The Queen Mary and spoke about his experiences on the rough seas. Those two journeys ended any desire for him to ever sail on a cruise ship again.

He returned to Virginia after his military service and married Helen Elizabeth Alestock from Raphine, Virginia in October 1949. Through this union they were blessed with six children.

Marcellus was a founding member of First Baptist Church, Sterling, Virginia where he served as a Deacon under his first cousin Reverend John W. Thornton and later under Reverend James E. Jefferies. He was a trustee, attended Sunday school and prayer meetings, and regularly drove the church bus along with Deacons Warren Newman and Leon Hogan.

Deacon Payne had many good friends and fishing buddies including Reverend James Jefferies, Reverend Roland Smith, Brother Shirley Harris, Deacon Leon Hogan and Deacon Warren Newman.

Deacon Payne was a faithful employee of Newton Asphalt Company of Alexandria, Virginia where he drove a 18-wheel tractor trailer for 40 years. There were many instances where he and his truck came to the rescue of his children. They rescued Beverly's car from the Pentagon parking lot; Lisa's car on the Cabin John Bridge; Karen's car on the Dulles Toll Road; and Charles Jr's car on Sterling Blvd.

Peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at the Reston Hospital Center in Reston, Virginia, Charles Marcellus Payne, Sr. more affectionately called "Marcellus" or "Deacon Payne" transitioned to eternal life.

He leaves to cherish his memory two sons: Charles Payne Jr. of Jacksonville, FL and Stephon Payne (Cheray) of Stone Ridge, VA; four daughters: Carolyn Newton (Fredrick) of Jacksonville, FL, Beverly Walker (Charles) of Herndon, VA, Karen Williams (Ray) of Sterling, VA and Lisa Keating of Herndon, VA. Eleven grandchildren: Shalynn Hand (David), Nishaylen Smith (Shamar), Brenden Roy (Lauren), Erin Baker (Justin), Brianna Roy, Ray Williams II, Brittney Williams, Patrick Keating, Fabiann Keating, Timothy Keating, and Alisa Keating. Thirteen great-grandchildren: Stephanie, Joshua, Sarah, Christian, Alexander, Cameron, Kennedy, Justin Jr., Josiah, Jaylonee, Jayniah, Eli and Jayden and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and dear friends.

Viewing, 10am until time of Service, 11am, Monday, July 29, 2013 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 2516 Squirrel Hill Road, Herndon, Virginia. Interment, Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery, Lincoln, Virginia.