Allen Parrish Payne

Allen Parrish Payne was born November 1, 1949, in Danville, Virginia, to the late Tommy Allen and Beatrice Parrish Payne. He departed this life on April 14, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by his family, his faith, and the sunshine. He attended George Washington High School (Class of 1968) amongst lifelong friends. After graduating from the University of Richmond (Class of 1974), he moved back to Danville, Virginia, where he met the love of his life, Debra Lee Fowlkes, while working at Virginia Bank & Trust. They were married May 5, 1984. Together, they built a family with their daughters, Stephanie and Sarah, grew in their faith, and loved one another endlessly for 41 years. He enjoyed a rewarding career as a Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President at Virginia Bank & Trust before retiring in November 2004. He was a faithful member of North Main Baptist Church until both he and Debra moved to Florida to perfect his Donald Duck impersonation and become full-time grandparents to their granddaughters, Rosetta and Beatrice. Allen is survived by his wife, Debra Fowlkes Payne; his daughters, Stephanie Lauren Payne Lordi and husband Antonio, and Sarah Elizabeth Payne; granddaughters, Rosetta Charlotte and Beatrice Iolanda Lordi; his sister, Terri Payne Shoecraft and husband Bruce; and nephews and nieces, Robert Bruce Shoecraft and wife Leslie, Joseph Austin Shoecraft and wife Jamie, and Julia Thomas Shoecraft and husband Garett. He is also survived by two cousins, Carol Gatewood Ballin and Susan Everett Corley; a lifelong friend, Kenneth Merricks; and predeceased by his aunts, Virginia Parrish Gatewood and Kathleen Parrish Everett; and one cousin, Lynn Everett Hall. A memorial service will be held at the Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to God’s Pit Crew online at https://godspitcrew.org/donate/. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Allen Parrish Payne, please visit Jessie Kate Decker’s Milk Farm Flowers for a local florist at https://milkfarmflowers.squarespace.com/shop/p/sympathy-flower-basket or the Wrenn-Yeatts Sympathy Store. Wrenn-Yeatts Funeral Home, Westover Chapel is serving the Payne family.

Allen Parrish Payne

November 1, 1949 - April 14, 2025