Edgar Ray Payne

Edgar Ray Payne, 90, of Lewisport, KY died July 31, 2018 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital surrounded by loved ones. He was born January 13, 1928, in Hardinsburg, KY, the son of Pleasant R. and Irene (Moorman) Payne. He was Principal of Lewisport Elementary School from 1963 until 1984, where he also taught while it was a High School. He coached basketball and baseball during many of those years. After retirement, he substitute taught and drove a school bus for Hancock County Schools. Prior to his career in Lewisport, he taught and coached in Bremen, KY.

He graduated from Breckenridge Co. High School in 1946, served in the Army at the end of WWII from 1946-48, and then attended Western KY University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree, Masters Degree, Rank 1 and Principal’s License. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary fraternity of educators.

A long-time member of the Lewisport United Methodist Church, he served on various committees and sang in the choir for more than 40 years. He helped with the Hancock County Food Bank and volunteered at the Hancock Co Museum. He was a member of the Lewisport Lions Club, holding several offices. He was active with the Lewisport Senior Citizens, for which he was their recent Treasurer. In his early years in Lewisport, he served as a Boy Scout Master and led groups on numerous outings. He was quite proud that so many of these Scouts became leaders in the community.

Edgar enjoyed playing golf (even into his 90th year); he played in a Seniors Basketball League until age 70 and rode a bicycle 4 to 5 miles many days even at age 89. One of his hobbies was repairing old bicycles and donating them to children in the area. He and his wife, Shyrlon enjoyed travelling on educational tours as well as travelling with friends.
Besides his parents, preceding him in death was his wife of nearly 68 years, Shyrlon Horsley Payne, siblings Henry Willis Payne, Robert Moorman Payne, Annette Payne and Agnes Payne Stafford; also twin infant granddaughters Audrey and Evelyn Crocker.

He is survived by children Mike (Martha) of Lewisport, Pat (Cindy) of Lewisport, Lynn Dauby (Gary) of Rocky Point, IN, Mark (Gaynel) of Hawesville. Grandchildren include: Karma Newland, Lance Dauby, Lemie (Mike) Ogle, Aaron (Tricia) Payne, Carrie (Jeremy) Dixon, Rachel Payne, Cassidy (Mimi) Dauby, Adrian (Justin) Crocker, Boyce (Starlit) Dauby, Alexandra (Chris) Kramer, Audra Bolen, Ashtyn Payne (Kyle Deck), plus 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Donna Horsley Stillwell and Jean Payne and brother-in-law Boyce Horsley.

We welcome everyone to join us for a Celebration of Life on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 2:00- 2:30 pm, at Gibson & Son Funeral Home, Lewisport and share your memories of Edgar Payne. Visitation will continue from 2:30 until 8:00 pm CT. Burial will be a private family service in Lewisport Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Lewisport Lion’s Club, Lewisport United Methodist Church, Hospice of Western KY, Hancock County Food Bank or Lewisport Senior Citizens.

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