- Date Of Birth: March 4, 1925
- Date Of Death: January 21, 2018
- State: Maryland
To everything there is a season, And a time for every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Lloyd C. Payne, son of the late Morris and Mary Payne was born on March 4, 1925 in Haymarket, VA. He was the third child in a family of five children. Today we come to celebrate the life of our loved one. Raised during the economic hardship and struggles of the great depression years, Lloyd was only eleven years old when his father died. Through it all, Lloyd learned life lessons that would stay with him throughout his life. Lloyd received his education in the public schools of Fauquier County, VA., attending elementary school, and later the Manassas Industrial High School in Manassas, VA.
Lloyd enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in the Pacific theater; he was part of Company C, 1890th Engineer Aviation Battalion-a segregated unit-during World War II. In his three years of service on Hebrides and Mariannas Islands, he drove heavy dump trucks over poor roads under combat and adverse conditions. In his three years of service (1943-46), he attained the rank of private first class, and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Following his military service, Lloyd settled in Muirkirk, MD, living in the home of his cousin Ruth Johnson Pearson and her husband Raymond. For a short time, Lloyd was employed with the Washington Brick Company in Muirkirk. Following employment at the Brickyard, he was employed as an Equipment Operator with Suburban Escalation and later Hunt Construction for the next twenty-eight years. He then joined the federal government at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD working as a Stationary Engineer for the next twenty-one years.
On December 23, 1955, Lloyd was united in holy matrimony to the late Eleanora 0. Gibson. Eleanora was truly the love of his life and together they shared fifty-eight years of marital devotion. While Eleanora had eight brothers of her own, Lloyd became an integral part of the large Gibson family, becoming a beloved “uncle” to the many Gibson nieces and nephews. From this beautiful union they raised two boys-Gregory and Irvin. Throughout their marriage, one rarely saw one without the other; they shared and supported each other in their individual pursuits-her music ministry-his photography. With two very active boys, they opened their beautiful home on Edmonston Road to Greg and Irvin’s youthful friends. Their friends could often be found playing basketball or just shooting the breeze, while at the same time, he shared the wisdom and advice gained from his years of living. Over the years, The Payne’s generously opened their home to family members and friends in times of need. Never one to sit idle, Lloyd was always busy using his boundless energy to take on various projects in the home-from bricklaying, building.
Lloyd “was steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Raised in the Baptist faith, following his marriage to Eleanora, Lloyd joined Queen’s Chapel in 1956, during the tenure of the late Rev. Joseph F. Haskins. From that time on -62 years- one could not find a more faithful servant. In the early years of his membership, Lloyd was president of the church’s New Members Club and a member of the Young Adult Fellowship. Lloyd also served as a member of the Board of Trustees, Staff Pastor-Parish Committee, Committee on Nominations and Personnel, a charter member of the United Methodist Men, and an at-large member of the Church Council. In 2008 and 2010, he was selected as a Distinguished Gentlemen and in 2011, he was
the Rex Ellis Man of the Year recipient.
Perhaps his most recognized and significant contribution and legacy to Queen’s Chapel, was his steadfast dedication as church photographer. Lloyd photographed every special celebration, and major activity ocurring in the church since 1954.
While he was quiet and unassuming, Lloyd was a man for all seasons-one who remained true to him
self and his beliefs, while adapting to all circumstances and times, despite external pressure or influence. Lloyd held firm convictions; he loved engaging in lengthy conversations over politics and the general state of the world around him. TIME was an essential part in his life-he was never, if ever late for work, church and ci,vic meetings, etc. It was just not who he was. Unique about him also was that he put mayonnaise on much of the food he ate, didn’t like vegetables, ate ice cream every night at bedtime, and was early to bed and early to rise. He was a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins, loved roller coasters and amusement parks. He preferred old hymns and traditional gospel music, and was a devoted follower of the Lomax Sisters and the Mt. Nebo Gospel Singers. He loved Cadillacs and pick-up trucks. Until his legs began to weaken, Lloyd walked every day, and was rarely sick. He was frugal and didn’t like to waste money-in fact he is still wearing the wing tips he wore when he got married over sixty-two years ago-over the years, he just had them resoled. Proud and independent, Lloyd was never one to complain, even after the loss of his sight and other health issues, he never wanted to burden others with his care.
A time to mourn. Lloyd was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eleanora. With her unexpected passing, Lloyd began to descend that crystal stair of life. So quietly and gently, on Sunday, January 21, 2018 God in His infinite wisdom finally called Lloyd home. He leaves to cherish his memory two devoted sons Gregory (Linda); lrvin (Frances); seven grandchildren-Lashon T. Banks, Nicole W. Greene, Irvin Payne, I Timothy Lehman-Payne, Hope Lehman-Payne, Angela Carroll, and Gregory L. Payne; one beloved god-child Marcia R. Thibodo; six great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth G. Day and Betty Tibbs; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
And when their journey brings them to that distant lighted shore, They will be greeted by the outstretched arms of those who’ve gone before.
Saturday, February 03
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Queens Chapel United Methodist Church
7410 Old Muirkirk Road
Beltsville, MD
Saturday, February 03
11:00 AM
Queens Chapel United Methodist Church
7410 Old Muirkirk Road
Beltsville, MD
Interment
Saturday February 03
Maryland National Memorial Park
13300 Baltimore Avenue
Laurel, MD
To
