MOUNT AIRY— Mr. Gary Lee Payne, 56, of Grove Lane, Mount Airy, son of the late Willie and Mildred Payne, was born Jan. 26, 1954. Life’s journey ended Feb. 19, 2010, at Northern Hospital of Surry County, Mount Airy, after several years of declining health. He was a 1972 graduate of North Surry High School, Mount Airy. He was the captain of the basketball team and the president of the National Honor Society. Gary attended N.C. Central in Durham. Gary was employed for 29 years as a supervisor at Pine State Knit Wear in Mount Airy. He leaves to cherish his memories four sisters, Deborah P. (Richard) Tower of Danville, Va., Pamela P. (Daniel) Bautista, Ms. Milvia Willet Payne of Mount Airy and Ms. Carolyn P. Sawyers of Galax, Va.; and two brothers, James E. (Debra) Smith of Danville and Reginald F. Payne of Mount Airy; four aunts, Mrs. Iona Smith of Charlotte, Mrs. Wavie Payne of Mount Airy, Frances (Robert) Ziglar of Winston-Salem, and Mrs. Rosemary Green of Winston-Salem; one uncle, Joe (Gracie) Green of Flint, Mich.; 15 nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Triumphant Pentecostal Church, 183 Marshall Farm Rd., Mount Airy. The Rev. Ashley Jones will be the eulogist and burial will follow in the Payne’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery, 1164 Paynetown Rd. Mount Airy, N.C. Family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to the funeral service. Spencer Funeral Directors are in charge of all services and arrangements.