Funeral services for Mr. Ralph Payne Jr. were held on Friday, March 18 at noon from First Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Lionel Davis officiated. Military Honor Burial followed in Magnolia

Cemetery. Hudson Funeral Services of Greenville, Ala., directed.

Mr. Ralph Payne Jr. (Coach Payne) was born in Greenville, Ala., on Jan. 26,1932 to the late Vivian Hannon and Ralph Payne. He departed this life on Monday, March 14, 2016.

Ralph accepted Christ at an early age and united with First Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained until his death.  He loved attending Sunday School and served as the superintendent and a teacher for many years.

Ralph graduated from Lomax High School and enlisted in the U. S. Air Force shortly thereafter.  He served in the Air Force Medical Corp for five years.

Ralph received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Alabama State University. He taught in the public school system of Butler County for 32 years.  In the latter part of his career, he taught physical education and coached basketball. Ralph was fondly referred to by his students as Coach” or Coach Payne” and became a father figure for many of his students.

Ralph held membership in the following organizations:  Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated; National Education Association (NEA); Alabama Education Association; and Pioneers in Education (PIE).

Ralph was preceded in death by his brother, Lewis Murphy.  Those who will miss Ralph and cherish his memories are:  his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Sadie Mae Payne; one daughter, Dr. Gwendolyn Taylor (Lee); one son, Melvin Payne; two granddaughters, Melanie Taylor and Sophia Taylor; one great granddaughter, Maliyah Taylor; and a host of relatives and friends.