Obituary of Edward Lee Payne

Edward Lee Payne (Smiley), 82, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 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, 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, Larissa Redelman (Josh); two great-grandsons, Lucas and Jayden; two brothers, Bob Payne of Morgantown, Danny Payne of Jacksonville; along with 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 Street, Morgantown, on Saturday, January 22, 2022, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 p.m., with Pastor Junius Lewis officiating. Private family will hold a 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. Send condolences at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com