Sonny Lee Payne

Sonny Lee Payne, 91, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2022 after becoming very ill. He was born December 31, 1930, in Manassas, Virginia and was preceded in death by his four sisters, two brothers and parents, Robert and Elsie Payne. Sonny loved life and lived it to its fullest. He was a hard working man, having worked for A & P Grocery, Rudy's Dry Cleaning, and Fisher Auto Parts and retired from each. He cherished his family and his beloved Shih-Tzu, Alli, and spent as much time as possible with all of them and traveling with family and friends. Sonny was a dedicated long-standing member of Cherry Avenue Christian Church, the Falcon Club, and the Elks Lodge, supporting his church, community and high school and University of Virginia Athletics; he particularly enjoyed attending football and basketball games. Sonny never met a stranger; always had a joke or story to tell and will be forever cherished by his family, friends and neighbors alike.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia "Ginny" Rogers Payne; his son, Michael Payne and wife Kristen of Seattle, Wash.; two stepdaughters, Brenda Madison and her husband, Roy Gilbert of Oak Island, N.C. and Carolyn Madison Bingler and her husband, Alvin Bingler, of Nellysford, Va. Sonny is also survived by four beloved grandchildren who called him "Papa", Alissa Payne of Richmond, Va., Andrea Adkins and husband, Chris of Spotsylvania, Va., Kristen Schulz and husband Adam of Keswick, Va. and Justin Bingler and wife, Stacey of Troy, Va. He has four great grandchildren, Ella, William, Daniel and Caroline, with another baby boy on the way. Sonny is also survived by eight nieces and nephews of Manassas, Va.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice, or to one of Sonny's preferred programs, the Albemarle SPCA, Cherry Avenue Christian Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Visitation is Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 11 a.m., followed by a church service at 12:30 p.m. both at Cherry Avenue Christian Church. He will be interred at 2 p.m. at Holly Memorial Gardens following the church service.