Obituary: Robert Andrew Payne

Robert Andrew PayneFuneral services for Robert Andrew Payne, 75, of Athens, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Athens. Interment will follow at 9 a.m. Friday, April 4 at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.

Mr. Payne passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2014 in Athens.

Robert Andrew Payne was born October 23, 1938 in Waco, Texas, the son of Andrew Jackson Payne and Ora Myrtle Nixon Payne. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, boating and playing golf. He loved spending time with his family, including spending summers in Colorado. He would never hesitate to reach out, support and otherwise lend a helping hand to family and friends. Bob was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be missed by all that knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Anna Dean Payne, his wife Linda Ramsey Payne and six siblings.

He is survived by his three loving children, Bobby Payne and wife Dana of Castroville, California, Michael Blount of Marietta , Oklahoma, Michele Ewing and husband Lonnie of Benbrook, Texas; three sisters, Margaret (Maggie) Boyles and husband Billy of Wimberley, Texas, Mary Erickson of Pasadena, Texas, Virginia Kraniak of Burleson, Texas; three grandchildren, Max Payne, Amber Young, Joseph Blount and one great grandchild, Katelynn Leis.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Betty Phelps, a dear companion, friend and caretaker to the end.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2014 from 6-8:00 P.M. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family in Athens. You may write condolences or light a memorial candle at: www.hannigansmith.com.