Dr. Clifton "Kip" G. Payne

Reidsville–Dr. Clifton “Kip” G. Payne, 85, of 1872 Pennrose Drive, our dearest husband and father passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2016, at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro. He is now at home in Heaven and has been set free from the bonds of Alzheimers disease forever. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, December 4, 2016, at Main Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Tarpley officiating. The family will receive friends at Wilkerson Funeral Home on Saturday, December 3, 2016, from 4-6 P.M. and other times at the home. Kip was born on May 9, 1931, in Forsyth County to the late Aubrey Payne and Gwendolyn “Mama Gwen” Payne. Kip led an extraordinary life, and was dearly loved by so many. A lifelong learner and avid Tar Heel, he followed his dream of attending UNC Chapel Hill, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1952. He then received his medical degree from UNC in 1956, where he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a medical school honor society. After a 2-year service as a physician in the Navy, he and his beloved wife, Carolyn Miller Payne settled in Reidsville, where Kip had a flourishing medical practice, serving and loving so many families in the area. We have been so uplifted by the many stories from Kip’s former patients - stories of the major role he played in their families’ care. Kip had so many interests, but most of all, he cherished spending time with his family - including his four grandchildren. One of his biggest joys in life was cooking, and sharing great meals with his friends and family. Those who were lucky enough to sit at his table would call him a master chef! In his free time, he loved to play golf with his buddies at the Pennrose choose-up, spend time at Caswell Beach, look at the stars and Heavens through his fancy telescope, and read every type of science magazine. Kip’s legacy extends far into this world. He was a loving husband to Carolyn, and was a wonderful father and grandfather, brother and uncle. The number of lives he touched through family, friends and patients is without measure. He will be profoundly missed by everyone who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn Miller Payne, daughter Melissa Payne Brown and her husband Pat Brown of Charlotte, NC, son Clifton “Cliff” Gadberry Payne, Jr. and his wife Donna Trimble Payne of Naples, FL, and daughter Caroline Lassiter Payne and her husband David Pawlowski of Charlotte, NC. Kip is also survived by his adoring four grandchildren: Casey Brown of New York City, Ben Brown of Arlington, VA, Patrick Brown of Charlotte, NC, and Michael Payne of Naples, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimers Association of NC at www.alz.org or 1305 S. Navaho Dr., Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609. Or, memorial contributions may also be sent to Main Street United Methodist Church at 221 S. Main St, Reidsville, NC 27320. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be sent to www.wilkersonfuneral.com.