Edward Lee “Smiley” Payne, 82, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born March 20, 1939, one of four sons of the late Roy and Alice Payne and was raised in the Cheat Neck area of Monongalia County.
Ed was a lifelong resident of Morgantown and had created many loving friendships over his lifetime. He spent 61 years married to his high school sweetheart, Barbara Ann (Raley) Payne. Over those years, there were lots of good times due to Ed’s humorous personality. He never met a stranger and was always making the people around him laugh. Ed enjoyed spending time at the golf course and bowling alley. He had many personal accomplishments in both of these areas. In later years, Ed’s favorite place to be was watching his grandkids play sports. If he couldn’t be at a game, he was right by the radio, live streaming or getting cell phone updates.
Ed worked at a young age for his dad at Tri State Drilling and later ran the business with his brother, Bob. Ed went on to be a successful business owner of Better Water and eventually Grease Monkey. Ed is survived by his wife, Barbara; two children, Jeff Payne (Paula), of Canonsburg, Pa., and Jennifer Forbes (Todd), of Morgantown; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Ruth Payne, of Morgantown; eight grandchildren, Aaron and Austin Forbes, Samantha and Allie Payne, Tara Groman (John), Miranda and Wes Payne and Larissa Redelman (Josh); two great-grandsons, Lucas and Jayden; two brothers, Bob Payne, of Morgantown, and Danny Payne, of Jacksonville; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Ed is preceded in death by a brother, Ellison Payne, and a son, John Payne.
Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at noon on Saturday, Jan. 22, , with Pastor Junius Lewis officiating. The family will hold a private graveside committal service at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greater Love Family Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box 1181, Morgantown, WV 26507.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
