Harold Dean Payne

Harold Dean Payne, 61, of Waskom, Texas, was born on July 5, 1946, in East Alton, Ill., the son of Herman Eugene Payne and Versa Irene Newell Payne, and died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. On Sept. 16, 1967, he was united in marriage to Janice Faye Moore in Brownwood.

Mr. Payne served his country in the U.S. Army. He was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church in Jefferson, Texas, a member of the Robert A. Tompkins Masonic Lodge #1254 and The Order of the Eastern Star. He served as former Worshipful Master in Waskom for two terms and was a 32nd degree Mason. In 1994, Harold retired from Berwind Railway after many years of working in the maintenance department.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Faye Payne, of Waskom, Texas; two daughters, Tammy Dean and Carol Hemken, both of Karnack, Texas; his parents, Eugene and Versa Payne of Advance; a sister, Barbara Crader of Advance; and five grandchildren.

Mr. Payne was preceded in death by his twin brother, Carroll Eugene Payne in 1974.

Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at Downs Funeral Home in Marshall, Texas.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, in the chapel of Downs Funeral Home of Marshall with Dr. R.L. "Skip" Palmer officiating.

Interment followed in Dean Cemetery with Masonic rites.