Cecil M. Payne

Asheville - Cecil Milton Payne, 68, of 226 Brickyard Road, died Friday, April 11, 2008 at his home. A native of Madison County, he resided in Buncombe County for the past 49 years. He was formerly employed with NCI Tool & Dye and was Owner and Operator of Paynes Tool & Cutter Grinding. Mr. Payne was a man that loved his family and one of great strength and character. He was the son of the late Millard Milton Payne and Hattie L. Payne and was also preceded in death by his sisters, Hazel Gentry, Ila Lance and Marie Ramsey. Surviving are his caring and loving wife of 49 years, Jeannette Cannon Payne of the home; daughters, Renee Reeves and husband, Larry of Hendersonville, Ladonna Norwood and husband, Bill of Arden; grandson, Taylor Reeves of Hendersonville; sisters, Elizabeth Lib P. Roberts of Alexander and Geneva Stradley of Nebo; several special nieces and nephews including Mike Cannon and wife, Debbie, Lisa Morgan and husband, Mike, Janice Clodfelter and husband, Steve and Jeff Roberts; several special great nieces and nephews including Jason Whitaker, Jamie Green, Erica Cannon, Tracey Cannon, Amanda Morgan and Ryan Morgan; brother-in-law, John O. Cannon of Asheville and a host of friends. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Wednesday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Combs officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Larry Reeves, Taylor Reeves, Mike Cannon, Jeff Roberts, Freddie Whitaker and Jason Whitaker. Honorary Pallbearer will be John O. Cannon. The family will receive friends 6 to 8:30 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 125 Ben Lippen Rd., Asheville, NC 28806 or Care Partners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, N.C. 28813.