Herman Payne

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Herman Eugene Payne, 86, of Advance passed away Monday, April 20, 2009, at Advance Nursing Home.

He was born June 5, 1922, at McGee, Mo., son of Herman Lee and Dora Peters Payne.

Eugene retired after 30 years as a General Baptist minister. He was a Bollinger County judge four years and Bollinger County assessor 21 years.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II. He was a Japanese POW for three years, nine months and 28 days.

He was a member of Brownwood General Baptist Church. He was an honorary member of the Galilee Association of General Baptist. He was a life member of American Ex-Prisoners of War. He was a life member of VFW Post 5900 of Marble Hill, Mo., and life member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16 of Cape Girardeau. He was a member of Zalma Masonic Lodge 545 AF&AM.

Eugene and Versa Newell were united in marriage Nov. 17, 1945, at McGee.

Survivors include his wife, Versa Payne of Advance; a daughter, Barbara Crader of Advance; five brothers, Tommy, Odell and Roger Payne of Puxico, Mo., Richard Payne of Virginia Beach, Va., Jerry Payne of Tula Lake, Calif.; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Carroll and Harold Payne; five brothers; and six sisters.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Morgan Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Larry Payne officiating. Burial will be in New Hope-McGee Cemetery with full military rites and Masonic rites.