Ned Ulysses Payne was born at home in Tryon, N.C. on March 31, 1931. He was the youngest of four beloved children born to Alfred Payne Sr. and Margaret Cole Payne. It was within this strong family unit that he learned the lifelong lessons of love and commitment to family.
Mr. Payne attended Edmund Emory School. After attending high school, he was drafted and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he attended N.C. and A & T University under the GI Bill. It was there he met and married the late Lassie Prince. Their union produced three sons, Ulysses Jr., Roderick and Eric.
Always the fashion trend setter, Mr. Payne supported his family by working as a professional Tailor in New York City. It was through this work that he met and later became a personal driver for legendary Rhythm and Blues singer, Clyde Lensley McPhatter. This work fueled Mr. Payne’s love of music, a passion he held for the duration of his life. He spent his retirement years in Williamsburg, VA.
Having accepted Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior in his early years, Mr. Payne was called home on May 21, 2014, after a lengthy illness.
Left to cherish fond and loving memories are three children, Ulysses Payne, Jr., Roderick Payne and Eric Payne; brother James Payne (Verlee); sister Barbara Qualls (Sammie); sisters-in-law Joyce Braxton and Peggy Payne; four grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Cannon and Sons Mortuary, Landrum