Kim Stanley Payne, 69, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away on April 27, 2024, at Atrium Health Hospital Pineville, NC, after a long illness, surrounded by his loved ones.
Kim was born on September 3, 1954, in Marion, OH, to Stanley Walter Payne and Rita Lyon Payne. He is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Becky, his cherished daughter, Jess, son-in-law Wayde Smith, and beloved grandchildren, Beckham, Fionna, and Riggins. Kim also leaves behind his sister, Kathy Benites.
Kim, an Army brat from birth, was a man of great faith. He graduated from Columbia Bible College (BA Education: 1976), Covenant Theological Seminary (M Div: 1984), and Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando (M Counseling: 1997). He dedicated his life to serving others, beginning with volunteering as a leader in youth ministries: Young Life and TEAM Youth Ministries at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. There, he met his future wife who was also a volunteer TEAM youth ministry worker. Over the years, Kim, with Becky as his loving supporter, served as an Assistant Pastor of Youth (Westminster PC, Fort Myers, FL), an Associate Pastor of Children and Youth (Presbyterian Church of the Atonement, Silver Spring, MD), and finally as Senior Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Winter Springs, Florida.
Aside from his ministry, Kim had a wide range of hobbies and interests. As a child, he was an impressive baseball catcher through his schooling years, barely missing his goal of making it professionally. Kim was also a football star at Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, NC (Class of 1972). He was always an avid reader, had a wide-ranging taste in music genres, played guitar, and enjoyed outdoor activities. He was involved in the Boy Scouts, enjoyed stamp collecting, and had a passion for creativity and working with his hands. In his youth as a Boy Scout, Kim’s troop worked directly with US Army Special Forces (Heidelberg Army Base, Heidelberg, Germany) to learn vital survival skills.
Kim was a devoted husband, father, and cherished grandfather, known affectionately as “PopPop.” He taught many guitar lessons to his oldest grandson, Beckham. Kim took the time to also ensure he taught his grandchildren about Jesus and life here on Earth, just as he instilled in his daughter and son-in-law. He so loved watching all his grandchildren play their sports as well (soccer, baseball, basketball, and dance).
A celebration of Kim’s life will be held at Resurrection Anglican Church of Rock Hill on May 4th, 2024, at 1 PM (Address: 1820 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill, SC 29730). In lieu of flowers, donations in Kim’s memory can be made to Resurrection Anglican Church.
Kim will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of faith, compassion, and service will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched. He and Becky were always so grateful for the love and blessings from all the many precious friendships they gained during their years of ministry service.