Phillip Eugene Payne, 89, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at his home in Hopkinsville.
Born in Crofton, Kentucky, on March 23, 1936, he was the son of the late Wylie and Charlie Robinson Payne.
Phillip was a member of the Princeton Street Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as a Deacon and Church treasurer until his health began to fail. He was also a member of the Ministers and Deacons Laymen League, State Laymen’s League, District Laymen, past Master of the Howe Finley #160, Shriners, NAACP, and a former member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Phillip was a Veteran of the United States Army. He worked for several years as a weekend duty officer for the Earl C. Clemons Job Corps Center. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and basketball games.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Payne, two children, LaQuetta Payne and Robert Payne, and siblings, Alma Lewis Smith and Albert Lynn Shaw.
He leaves to mourn his passing three children, Gary Payne, Tamara Payne (Tim McKnight), and Erika (Walter) Saunders. Siblings: Melvin “Bobby” Sharber, Evelyn (Jacob) Johnson, Felicia “Tinchey” Cullins; 6 grandchildren; a devoted foster child, Khristine Gaskin; a nephew/son, Jason “Jody” (Cynthia) Smith; and a host of other close relatives and friends.
Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 11:30 at the Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.
Visitation will begin on Monday at 4:00 at Gamble Funeral Home. Masonic Last Rites will be given at 3:00 pm.
