Edward M. Payne, Jr.

PAYNE, JR., EDWARD M. Edward M. Payne, Jr., 1st Sergeant, US Army Retired, age 79, of Beaumont passed away Monday, May 12, 2003 in Beaumont. Services will be held at 1pm Saturday, May 17 at Waco Memorial Mausoleum Chapel with Chaplain Curtis Holland officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Waco Memorial North. Arrangements are through Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 1124 Washington Ave. Retired from the Army after 28 ½ years, Sgt. Payne was a member of the 36th Division during WWII; a survivor of the crossing of the Rapido River, the Battle for Monte Casino, the invasions at Salerno and Anzio, and the Battle of San Pietro. During his army career, he served his country in the Korean action, and in Viet Nam. Following his army service, Sergeant Payne was employed in the Houston Independent School System, as a ROTC instructor and retired in 1993. Sergeant Payne was born in Riesel May 29, 1923 to Edward M. and Monnie Faye Crafton Payne. He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Neal H. Payne. Sergeant Payne is survived by wife, Joyce Polston Payne of Beaumont; daughter, Tresa Tolin and husband, David L. of Beaumont; son, Preston E. Payne of Guatemala City, Guatemala; grandchildren, Joyce Marie Tolin of Beaumont, Clara Joyce Payne Archila of Guatemala City, Guatemala, David Lynn Tolin, Jr. and wife, Renee, of Lumberton, John Douglas Tolin and wife, Heather of Austin, Philip James Tolin of San Marcos, and Joseph Edward Tolin of Beaumont; great grandchildren, Cassie Marie Tolin, Brandon Edward Tolin both of Beaumont, Chelsea Victoria Tolin and Bryce Morgan Tolin both of Lumberton; brother, Jack D. Payne, and nephews, Neal H. Payne, Jr., Roland Payne, Edward M. Payne, II and Sam Payne. The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com by selecting obituaries. Select “Sign Memorial Guestbook” at the top the individual Memorial. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY