Marion Payne

Marion Lee passed away peacefully November 17th, 2021 in Rio Rancho, NM at the Casa Contenta Assisted Living Home.

Born on October 31, 1934 in Lakeview, Oregon he was 87 years of age.  He is survived by his daughter Desaree Carole Payne (Jimenez), her husband Del and two grandchildren Cassidy and Mariah Jimenez, nephews Tap, Rocky, Frank Payne and Al Griggs, and nieces Suzanne, Pat and Pam Payne and Dee Griggs Neely, and his sister in- law Laverne and Bill Griggs from Lubbock, Texas.

Preceding Marion in death were his parents May and Arnold Payne, his brother Winford (Rocky) Payne in 1991, granddaughter Sydney Whitfield in 1996,  son Michael Payne in 2006, and his wife Carole Bridges in 2014.   Marion Lee Payne and Carole Maxine Bridges married on July 7th  1956 in Portales, New Mexico.   They were married for 58 years.

His parents were Marion Arnold Payne from Prescott, Arkansas and May Belle Reed from Haskell, Texas.  In 1934 parents, grandparents and other family members living in Texas went to Oregon to work in the lumber industry.   It was during this time that Marion Lee was born.   From Oregon the family moved to New Mexico to make their living hauling lumber out of the Pecos Wilderness. 

The Payne family eventually settled in the southern part of New Mexico, where Marion went to schools in Hobbs and Carlsbad.  He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1952.

Marion was a carpenter and building contractor by trade.   He also had other businesses, a collection agency and the Acoma Construction Company.

Marion dearly loved his wife, children and grandchildren. They were the joy of his life. May he rest in peace. He was cremated and will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Cemetery at a later date.