Mike Payne

I have too many memories of my cousin my little brother and my best friend. Mike was a constant friend to myself and my husband Archie. He lived with us. He had a heart of gold and a kind and loving soul.I miss you terribly Mike. May you finally get some rest. I miss talking to you so much I leave messages on your cell phone but you don't answer anymore and that breaks my .God Bless you my cousin. See you soon.

Mike Payne was my father. He was my hero. He was my angel. My kind and giving heart comes from him. My strength and confidence comes from him because he always knew exactly what to say to make me believe in myself. My dad was an extremely smart, hard working, and creative man. My dad would genuinely give you the shirt off his back and had no negative motives behind the nice things he did for others. If you could place a photo next to altruism it should be of my dad. My dad had the greatest laugh in the world and I would gladly watch comedies over and over with him just so I could watch and hear him laugh. When I was a kid my dad made the world literally magical to me. I don´t know how he did it, but even just a little trip through the McDonald´s drive thru with him was the adventure of a lifetime. My dad would actually listen and talk to me and I knew even though I was young he truly valued my opinions and perspective. He was a ONE OF A KIND dad. Too good for this world, really. He has left a legacy of true love and good deeds he desired no credit for. He just wanted to be the light to others because he understood darkness too. There aren´t any words to truly express how this loss feels. I´m just glad my beautiful daddy can have peace and I will live the rest of my life in his honor. Loving, laughing, hoping, listening, and always remembering the rules he taught me to live by "treat others as you want to be treated" and "don´t hold grudges, life is too short". The love of a father and child never truly dies and that keeps me going on the days that are especially painful. Until I see you again, dad, I know you´re always looking out for me. I can live because you lived for me. I can love because you loved me. Love, Sasa

Kris and Alyssa we are very saddened by the passing of Mike. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

My earliest memory of my cousin is when he moved to our house with his parents. He was about five years and I was around ten. Both of us loved the Beatles but Mike especially loved "I Want to Hold Your Hand" which he sang constantly. To get us out of the house probably, my grandfather would give us some change to walk over to our favorite donut shop, buy a donut, and listen to every Beatles song on the jukebox. I always remember us doing this. Dancing and singing with the Beatles without a care in the world!