Albert Preston Payne Sr.

Albert Preston Payne, born on August 28th 1933 Myrtle, MO, to Ralph & Minnie (Scott) Payne. He had recently celebrated his 93rd birthday.

Grew up loving the outdoors whether hunting squirrel, rabbit or deer. Or fishing the local ponds creeks and rivers. This was just a part of life in rural Missouri that he happily embraced.

Graduated from Couch High school on May the 8th 1952. Albert had attended the Cotton Creek FWB church since a child and surrendered his life to Christ at revival.

Found the love of his life in the girl next door, Bernice McGhee and married her on June 20th, 1953. Albert and Bernice briefly resided at 2220 Eighth St. in Kansas City, Missouri. With the on going conflict in Korean believed it better to join then wait to be drafted. He joined the United States Army on November 17, 1953. He had artillery training at Fort Sill Oklahoma. Before departing to Korea. He was able to see their first child, Joan.

While in Korea he studied meteorology and had hoped someday to make it a career. He also made two good friends that he later loved to recount stories about.

Upon his return, they moved to Pocahontas, Arkansas, where he worked for Borden’s Dairy. During that time they added Debra, Preston (Albert Jr.) and Cindy. He and Bernice also suffered loss when Patrick Keith their second son was stillborn.

With an ever growing family Albert decided to move Kansas City area for a better job. Albert worked a few years for Foremost Dairy then moved on to Wonder Bread at the urging of his cousin Joe Payne. Melissa was born while they were living in the Kansas City, and then Amanda and Kathy in Independence. The attended Berean FWB church of Independence. Later, they moved to Grandview, and Shannon the last of their children was born. Albert retired from Wonder Bread after some 20 odd years delivering bread to Kansas stores. They attended Central FWB church. They later moved to Belton, and attended Belton FWB church. Albert worked a few years at Foxwood Springs before retiring again. They formed many lasting friendships with fellow members at both churches. Later, they followed Brother Gene Howell to Harvest FWB church in Raymore in his church planting effort.

In 2009 they moved back to southern Missouri and made a home in Alton. Making many new friends at the Alton FWB church and reconnecting with good friend and relative Mike Crawford

Albert and Bernice were so close that they had to have heart surgery within a month of each other.

They had a long lasting love. They were able to celebrate their 70th anniversary before Bernice departed in 2023.

They loved to argue and tease one another quite often but were quite inseparable. He now joins her after three years and one day. Their favorite verse was Isaiah 41:31, "But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk, and not faint."

Albert is preceded in death by wife Bernice McGhee, his parents, Ralph & Minnie Payne ; sons, Patrick Keith Payne and Albert P Payne Jr. and daughter, Debra Dean and his brother Allen Payne.

Albert is survived by daughters Shannon Everitt, Kathy Sheffer, Amanda Vail (Jeff), Melissa Bagby (Jim), Cindy McNay (Jon), Joan Murphy (Brad). Son-in-law Tom Dean and daughter-in-law Pam (Painter) Payne.

Grandchildren: Ayreona & Luna Everitt, Keith Payne - Kaitlyn (Stephen) Le, Annie (Matt) Zeets - Cayla (Brady) Tarwater, Scott (Anna) McNay - Christy (Cham) Meek, Abby (Luke) Comstock - Justin Payne, Stephanie & Andrew Dean, Patrick & Robert Murphy.

Great grandchildren: Sawyer Le, Alex & Issac Tarwater, Arowyn & Teagan Meek, Connor - Delaney - Ruby - Stella McNay, Preston - Charlie - Knox - Gus Payne, Duncan & Cannon Comstock, Zac - Riley - Colton Murphy 

Funeral Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Cotton Creek Cemetery, Couch, Missouri 

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

Graveside Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Cotton Creek Cemetery, Couch, Missouri. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Croix Hospice and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.