Dewey L. Payne, 72, of Dunbar, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2009, at Thomas Memorial Hospital.

He was a US Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict and was retired from Hobet Mining Co. Mr. Payne was a member of the Dunbar Masonic Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Payne, who passed away on August 11, 2009. Also preceding him in death were his brothers, Edwin Thomas Smith, Jr. and Eugene Smith Johnson. He was blessed to have had two mothers, Glenna Mae Johnson and Nettie Bell Payne.

Surviving are his father, Gilbert W. Payne of Dunbar; brothers, Keith Payne and his wife, Beth of Dunbar, Charles Payne and his wife, Mary Beth of Crede and Michael Smith of Lewisburg; sisters, Judy Payne of Sissonville, Dinah Parsons and her husband, Eddie of Fairplain, Wanda Shouldis and her husband, Gary of Gay, Della Steele and her husband, Kenny of NC and Joyce Fanjoy and her husband, John of Charlestown. Also surviving are God-children, Garrett and Nathan Payne of Dunbar, Scott and Sara Ayers of Charlestown and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with the Rev. George R. Pauley officiating. Entombment will follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.

Friends may call two hours prior to the service at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Shriners' Hospital for Children, 1900 Richmond Road, Lexington, Ky 40502.