Richard Sylvester Payne, III

May 3, 1992 - June 26, 2019

Raleigh

Richard Sylvester Payne III (Rich) passed peacefully from this life on June 26, surrounded by his adoring family. He was born in Raleigh on May 3rd, 1992 to Laurie Lewis Barnhart and Richard S. Payne, Jr. He grew up attending St. Michael's Episcopal Church where he was baptized as an infant. He was in the All Angel's Choir as a preschooler and later he was active in the youth group and served as an acolyte. At St. Michael's Preschool he met his first childhood friends. Rich's faith in Jesus Christ was unwavering.

Rich loved lacrosse, ice hockey, football, collegiate, and professional basketball; and followed the Wolfpack faithfully. Rich was an Eagle Scout who loved camping and hiking. His true passion, however, was snowboarding out West.

Rich was happiest outdoors. After high school, he spent a semester in Wyoming where he participated in the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) through the University of Utah, an experience that Rich treasured. He loved spending the summers with his cousins at his Grandparent's cottage at Wrightsville Beach.

Rich's greatest gift was his compassion and empathy for others. He was a faithful friend and trusted confidant. He will always be remembered for his kind and empathetic soul.

Rich is survived by his loving parents Laurie and Jeff Barnhart, Richard Payne, and Shelley deFosset along with his faithful cockapoo Boone who always made him laugh, and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles who loved him dearly.

A very special thank you goes out to all of the staff at Jacob's Ladder in West Virginia.

A celebration of Rich's life will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 on Monday, July 1st at 2 PM with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Healing Transitions, 1251 Goode Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, Jacob's Ladder at Brookside, 25208 George Washington Highway, Aurora, WV 26705 and LifeShare Carolinas, 1200 Ridgefield Blvd. Suite 150, Asheville, NC 28806.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer from Jun. 28 to Jun. 30, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Payne

23 Entries

Stephanie Blankenship

June 23, 2023

Remembering Rich's beautiful smile today and sending our love and prayers to you. Stephanie and Kevin Blankenship

Bill Holman

January 7, 2020

Richard and Carolina Outdoor Sports outfitted me for my Appalachian Trail thru-hike and other adventures. I recall some memorable paddling & camping trips with Richard & friends on the Chatooga River, Haw River and in WNC. Later he hired me to work at Carolina Outdoor Sports. I stayed in debt to the company store for a while... I still have a collection of North Face sleeping bags from 40 years ago. He was a great mentor and friend. He helped connect many people to the outdoors.

July 10, 2019

Dear Laurie, Bob and I have you and Jeff, along with all your family and those dearest to you in our hearts. We enjoyed knowing Rich as a cheerful, sports loving, thoughtful young man who gave our cul de sac fresh energy. He had a touch with people and pets which I especially appreciated when he came by to say hello to the small feral kitty that adopted us. She rarely let people near her, Rich was an exception which said so much about his kind spirit. We care for you in this loss, he was very loved and knew it. We've missed you and wish you peace. Beth and Bob Dixson

July 4, 2019

LAURIE, I am so very sorry and sad for your loss. Wishing you peace & comfort. Please take care. love, Suzanne Pomeroy Ready

Janet and Rusty Sherrill

July 2, 2019

Dear Laurie and Richard we were heartbroken to hear about Rich. He was a delightful young man who will be greatly missed by many people. We can't imagine what you must be going through right now but wanted to reach out to let you know that we have been thinking about you and wish we were still in Raleigh to give our support in person. Sending lots of love from Aiken.

Butch Dunlap

July 2, 2019

Richard , so sorry for the loss of your son . Never met your son but after him reading about him, what a great kid. It hurts us all when a child is lost. My deepest sympathies to your family and to the friends who he touched along the way.

Butch and Christi

July 1, 2019

So sorry for your loss. May you have the peace and comfort that you need in time of your loss. Matthew 5:4

July 1, 2019

Laurie,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have been and will continue to pray for you and your extended family. May you know God's grace and God's power during this extremely difficult time.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. II Corinthians 12:9
Christy Davis, NCSS

July 1, 2019

Laurie,

Connie and I are keeping you in our hearts and prayers. May God's peace and strength keep you day by day.
Robert & Connie Strickland

June 30, 2019

love you forver rich

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Debbie Wooten

June 29, 2019

Laurie, so sorry for you loss, praying g for you and your familt

Christopher Lewis

June 29, 2019

Laurie and family. You are in our prayers.

Kelly and Janet Lewis

June 28, 2019

Laurie and Richard, we are so heartbroken. Trevor and Rich were, and are, soul brothers riding the Colorado slopes together. We hope you are well and we wish you peace and comfort.

Paula, Trevor and Jeremy Cothren

Ronan Cates

June 28, 2019

I remember Rich from summer camp in Boy Scouts. A great guy. My heart is heavy over this. May his parents find peace.

June 28, 2019

Rich has been a friend of mine since I was 14 years old, nearly 12 years have passed since I first met him. My adornment for Rich and his kindness have always remained. Rich had the absolute biggest heart. His compassion and love for his friends could be felt by all. I really do not believe Rich had one mean bone in his body. A true friend. He is and always will be so loved. Sending prayers and deep love.
Anna Garrison

June 28, 2019

Andy Finkle. Rich was an incredibly kind hearted young man. I remember spending several weeks with Rich and his dad at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Even when Rich was tired and hungry himself, he was always such a pleasure to be around and made the trip special for all of us. My sincerest sympathy to all of Rich's family and friends. We are all diminished by his loss.

June 28, 2019

Many thoughts for you Laurie. You were always so sweet all the way back to St. Michaels. So sorry about Rich. Debbie Harmon

June 28, 2019

Our continued thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Love, The Dorsey Family - Rich, Kris, Parker, Sarah, Harper and Preston

Linda Phelps

June 28, 2019

Rich was a bright and well mannered young man. We will miss him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Susan Waldrum

June 28, 2019

I vividly remember teaching Rich his senior year at Broughton High School. His gentle spirit and kind way was such a delight in my classroom. Most of all, I remember the personal essay that he wrote in conjunction with a lesson on writing for college admission. In his essay Rich detailed his experience with his grandfather and the life lessons he learned just by sitting on the porch of the cabin in Rocky Point, N.C. The essay was one of the most outstanding that year because it really showed the character of Rich and how listening to his grandfather's voice of experience and embracing the values of family were of utmost importance in shaping his own character. Truly, I hope his family still has this essay because it so much embodied the gentle, kind, thoughtful young man whose genuine love of family and the out of doors were his spirit.
May God bless and comfort his family at this time.
Love,
Susan Waldrum

June 28, 2019

So sorry for your loss. Praying for the family.

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