Members of Hendersonville's First Baptist Church are mourning the sudden loss of the man responsible for preparing and serving thousands of meals for them over the years.
While on a week-long mission trip in Alaska with 20 other First Baptist members, 57-year-old Barry Payne collapsed suddenly Monday from an apparent heart attack.
Payne, a lifelong Hendersonville resident, had been the church's food services director for the last six years.
The mission trip he and others were on was aimed at building relationships and sharing Christ with those attending the Iditarod, an annual dog sled race held in Alaska.
Senior Pastor Bruce Chesser said Tuesday Payne prepared banquets and weekly meals, as well as meals for special events, for the 10,000-member congregation.
"Everybody's in shock," Chesser said. "As Christians, it's always bitter-sweet, because on one hand you know he's with the Lord in heaven, and he's fine. But from our perspective, it's a loss any time you lose a friend or loved one."
Chesser said not only had Payne been involved with feeding church members, but also with a group called the FAITH Riders motorcycle ministry, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who use that passion to reach other motorcyclists with the Gospel.
Former First Baptist Pastor Dave Paxton said he and Payne traveled over 12,000 miles together on motorcycles over the years, many through the ministry.
"Everybody I have talked to has said, ‘Barry was just one of those guys we always thought was going to be there,'" Paxton said. "Barry never met a stranger, and he never met someone who wasn't very impressed with him and who didn't fall in love with him immediately. He never had an unkind word to say about anybody."
Paxton described a motorcycle trip he and Payne took last year where they rode their bikes 3,800 miles together through the U.S. and Canada.
"He just delighted in riding, he enjoyed camping, and because he was such a good cook, occasionally we ate pretty well around the campfire," he said.
Paxton said he and other FAITH Riders will probably ride their motorcycles at Payne's funeral to honor him.
"Hendersonville's lost a great resident for sure, and someone who has fed tens of thousands of people over the years… and nobody ever walked away dissatisfied," Paxton said.
Payne's wife Mary Jane said she is overwhelmed by the support she has received from both church members and the community.
"It's just been amazing," she said.
Mary Jane Payne said the two were married 35 years and spent most of that time in Hendersonville.
Barry Payne attended Nannie Berry Elementary School and graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1972. He also obtained a degree in environmental technology, his wife said. In addition, Payne was one Hendersonville's first EMT's and even worked for the Hendersonville Police Department as a dispatcher while in college.
Most recently, the Paynes often worked side-by-side preparing meals for groups like the Tennessee Baptist Convention, the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The two also went on several mission trips together, including a trip to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
"He had a full, wonderful life," Mary Jane said. "He loved cooking and serving other people. He went in a wonderful way - serving and loving the Lord."
Barry Payne is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Mary Jane Payne; children, Wesley (Katie) Payne and Melissa Payne; mother, Inez Payne; grandchildren, Mary Addison Payne and Ella Payne; brothers, Kelly (Lisa) Payne and Neil Payne; father-in-law, Tommy Kerkeles; mother-in-law, Barbara Kerkeles; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A Life Celebration Service will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Hendersonville First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 9, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. at the church and also on Saturday at the church beginning at 11 a.m. until service hour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hendersonville First Baptist Church Building Committee or the Global Impact Fund. HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 353 Johnny Cash Pkwy., Hendersonville, TN, (615) 824-3855 www.hendersonvillefh.com
While on a week-long mission trip in Alaska with 20 other First Baptist members, 57-year-old Barry Payne collapsed suddenly Monday from an apparent heart attack.
Payne, a lifelong Hendersonville resident, had been the church's food services director for the last six years.
The mission trip he and others were on was aimed at building relationships and sharing Christ with those attending the Iditarod, an annual dog sled race held in Alaska.
Senior Pastor Bruce Chesser said Tuesday Payne prepared banquets and weekly meals, as well as meals for special events, for the 10,000-member congregation.
"Everybody's in shock," Chesser said. "As Christians, it's always bitter-sweet, because on one hand you know he's with the Lord in heaven, and he's fine. But from our perspective, it's a loss any time you lose a friend or loved one."
Chesser said not only had Payne been involved with feeding church members, but also with a group called the FAITH Riders motorcycle ministry, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who use that passion to reach other motorcyclists with the Gospel.
Former First Baptist Pastor Dave Paxton said he and Payne traveled over 12,000 miles together on motorcycles over the years, many through the ministry.
"Everybody I have talked to has said, ‘Barry was just one of those guys we always thought was going to be there,'" Paxton said. "Barry never met a stranger, and he never met someone who wasn't very impressed with him and who didn't fall in love with him immediately. He never had an unkind word to say about anybody."
Paxton described a motorcycle trip he and Payne took last year where they rode their bikes 3,800 miles together through the U.S. and Canada.
"He just delighted in riding, he enjoyed camping, and because he was such a good cook, occasionally we ate pretty well around the campfire," he said.
Paxton said he and other FAITH Riders will probably ride their motorcycles at Payne's funeral to honor him.
"Hendersonville's lost a great resident for sure, and someone who has fed tens of thousands of people over the years… and nobody ever walked away dissatisfied," Paxton said.
Payne's wife Mary Jane said she is overwhelmed by the support she has received from both church members and the community.
"It's just been amazing," she said.
Mary Jane Payne said the two were married 35 years and spent most of that time in Hendersonville.
Barry Payne attended Nannie Berry Elementary School and graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1972. He also obtained a degree in environmental technology, his wife said. In addition, Payne was one Hendersonville's first EMT's and even worked for the Hendersonville Police Department as a dispatcher while in college.
Most recently, the Paynes often worked side-by-side preparing meals for groups like the Tennessee Baptist Convention, the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The two also went on several mission trips together, including a trip to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
"He had a full, wonderful life," Mary Jane said. "He loved cooking and serving other people. He went in a wonderful way - serving and loving the Lord."
Barry Payne is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Mary Jane Payne; children, Wesley (Katie) Payne and Melissa Payne; mother, Inez Payne; grandchildren, Mary Addison Payne and Ella Payne; brothers, Kelly (Lisa) Payne and Neil Payne; father-in-law, Tommy Kerkeles; mother-in-law, Barbara Kerkeles; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A Life Celebration Service will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Hendersonville First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 9, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. at the church and also on Saturday at the church beginning at 11 a.m. until service hour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hendersonville First Baptist Church Building Committee or the Global Impact Fund. HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 353 Johnny Cash Pkwy., Hendersonville, TN, (615) 824-3855 www.hendersonvillefh.com
Members of Hendersonville's First Baptist Church are mourning the sudden loss of the man responsible for preparing and serving thousands of meals for them over the years.
While on a week-long mission trip in Alaska with 20 other First Baptist members, 57-year-old Barry Payne collapsed suddenly Monday from an apparent heart attack.
Payne, a lifelong Hendersonville resident, had been the church's food services director for the last six years.
The mission trip he and others were on was aimed at building relationships and sharing Christ with those attending the Iditarod, an annual dog sled race held in Alaska.
Senior Pastor Bruce Chesser said Tuesday Payne prepared banquets and weekly meals, as well as meals for special events, for the 10,000-member congregation.
"Everybody's in shock," Chesser said. "As Christians, it's always bitter-sweet, because on one hand you know he's with the Lord in heaven, and he's fine. But from our perspective, it's a loss any time you lose a friend or loved one."
Chesser said not only had Payne been involved with feeding church members, but also with a group called the FAITH Riders motorcycle ministry, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who use that passion to reach other motorcyclists with the Gospel.
Former First Baptist Pastor Dave Paxton said he and Payne traveled over 12,000 miles together on motorcycles over the years, many through the ministry.
"Everybody I have talked to has said, ‘Barry was just one of those guys we always thought was going to be there,'" Paxton said. "Barry never met a stranger, and he never met someone who wasn't very impressed with him and who didn't fall in love with him immediately. He never had an unkind word to say about anybody."
Paxton described a motorcycle trip he and Payne took last year where they rode their bikes 3,800 miles together through the U.S. and Canada.
"He just delighted in riding, he enjoyed camping, and because he was such a good cook, occasionally we ate pretty well around the campfire," he said.
Paxton said he and other FAITH Riders will probably ride their motorcycles at Payne's funeral to honor him.
"Hendersonville's lost a great resident for sure, and someone who has fed tens of thousands of people over the years… and nobody ever walked away dissatisfied," Paxton said.
Payne's wife Mary Jane said she is overwhelmed by the support she has received from both church members and the community.
"It's just been amazing," she said.
Mary Jane Payne said the two were married 35 years and spent most of that time in Hendersonville.
Barry Payne attended Nannie Berry Elementary School and graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1972. He also obtained a degree in environmental technology, his wife said. In addition, Payne was one Hendersonville's first EMT's and even worked for the Hendersonville Police Department as a dispatcher while in college.
Most recently, the Paynes often worked side-by-side preparing meals for groups like the Tennessee Baptist Convention, the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The two also went on several mission trips together, including a trip to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
"He had a full, wonderful life," Mary Jane said. "He loved cooking and serving other people. He went in a wonderful way - serving and loving the Lord."
Barry Payne is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Mary Jane Payne; children, Wesley (Katie) Payne and Melissa Payne; mother, Inez Payne; grandchildren, Mary Addison Payne and Ella Payne; brothers, Kelly (Lisa) Payne and Neil Payne; father-in-law, Tommy Kerkeles; mother-in-law, Barbara Kerkeles; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A Life Celebration Service will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Hendersonville First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 9, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. at the church and also on Saturday at the church beginning at 11 a.m. until service hour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hendersonville First Baptist Church Building Committee or the Global Impact Fund. HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 353 Johnny Cash Pkwy., Hendersonville, TN, (615) 824-3855 www.hendersonvillefh.com
While on a week-long mission trip in Alaska with 20 other First Baptist members, 57-year-old Barry Payne collapsed suddenly Monday from an apparent heart attack.
Payne, a lifelong Hendersonville resident, had been the church's food services director for the last six years.
The mission trip he and others were on was aimed at building relationships and sharing Christ with those attending the Iditarod, an annual dog sled race held in Alaska.
Senior Pastor Bruce Chesser said Tuesday Payne prepared banquets and weekly meals, as well as meals for special events, for the 10,000-member congregation.
"Everybody's in shock," Chesser said. "As Christians, it's always bitter-sweet, because on one hand you know he's with the Lord in heaven, and he's fine. But from our perspective, it's a loss any time you lose a friend or loved one."
Chesser said not only had Payne been involved with feeding church members, but also with a group called the FAITH Riders motorcycle ministry, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who use that passion to reach other motorcyclists with the Gospel.
Former First Baptist Pastor Dave Paxton said he and Payne traveled over 12,000 miles together on motorcycles over the years, many through the ministry.
"Everybody I have talked to has said, ‘Barry was just one of those guys we always thought was going to be there,'" Paxton said. "Barry never met a stranger, and he never met someone who wasn't very impressed with him and who didn't fall in love with him immediately. He never had an unkind word to say about anybody."
Paxton described a motorcycle trip he and Payne took last year where they rode their bikes 3,800 miles together through the U.S. and Canada.
"He just delighted in riding, he enjoyed camping, and because he was such a good cook, occasionally we ate pretty well around the campfire," he said.
Paxton said he and other FAITH Riders will probably ride their motorcycles at Payne's funeral to honor him.
"Hendersonville's lost a great resident for sure, and someone who has fed tens of thousands of people over the years… and nobody ever walked away dissatisfied," Paxton said.
Payne's wife Mary Jane said she is overwhelmed by the support she has received from both church members and the community.
"It's just been amazing," she said.
Mary Jane Payne said the two were married 35 years and spent most of that time in Hendersonville.
Barry Payne attended Nannie Berry Elementary School and graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1972. He also obtained a degree in environmental technology, his wife said. In addition, Payne was one Hendersonville's first EMT's and even worked for the Hendersonville Police Department as a dispatcher while in college.
Most recently, the Paynes often worked side-by-side preparing meals for groups like the Tennessee Baptist Convention, the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The two also went on several mission trips together, including a trip to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
"He had a full, wonderful life," Mary Jane said. "He loved cooking and serving other people. He went in a wonderful way - serving and loving the Lord."
Barry Payne is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Mary Jane Payne; children, Wesley (Katie) Payne and Melissa Payne; mother, Inez Payne; grandchildren, Mary Addison Payne and Ella Payne; brothers, Kelly (Lisa) Payne and Neil Payne; father-in-law, Tommy Kerkeles; mother-in-law, Barbara Kerkeles; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A Life Celebration Service will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Hendersonville First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 9, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. at the church and also on Saturday at the church beginning at 11 a.m. until service hour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hendersonville First Baptist Church Building Committee or the Global Impact Fund. HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 353 Johnny Cash Pkwy., Hendersonville, TN, (615) 824-3855 www.hendersonvillefh.com
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