Deacon Sylvester Payne

Deacon Sylvester Payne was born July 4, 1955 in Saginaw, Michigan to Jimmie Payne, Jr. and Lou Kathryn (Davis) Payne. He was the third of their four children. He passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2018 after a lengthy illness.

Sylvester was a successful student of Saginaw Public Schools and graduated from Saginaw High School, “Class of 1973”. Immediately following, he began working full time in the downtown Saginaw parking facility. Because of his favorable values and work ethics, Sylvester advanced to the position of Parking Services Director. Still progressing within leadership for the community, he was elected the Executive Director of the Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS) until retirement.

After two years of retirement, Sylvester was a candidate to work as the Saginaw County Community Action Center, Inc. (SCCAC) Chief Executive Officer. He was hired in this job and diligently supported the SCCAC causes, which provides programming to the low income and elderly population. He often had to speak on behalf of the community regarding program issues and funding. Sylvester stated, “One thing that has not changed is the need to assist those less fortunate than us”. After his tenure at SCCAC, he returned to STARS as the General Manager until his health begun to decline. Throughout his years of hard work, he loved to travel.

Baptized at an early age at Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Roosevelt Austin, Sr., Deacon Payne faithfully attended and served showing his love, faith and belief in God our Heavenly Father and Jesus, His Son. His most recognized services were Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, member of the Male Chorus, and Chairman of the Deacon Board.

Deacon Payne was preceded in death by his mother, Lou Kathryn Payne; brother, Thomas Payne; sister, Gwendolyn Walls; and niece, Dahana Payne.

He leaves to cherish his memories father, Jimmie (Lorraine) Payne Jr., Saginaw, Michigan; son, Willie Charles (Renee) Primer, Albion, New York; daughter Tyjvanna Tekonsha Payne, Burleson, Texas; stepdaughter, Christine Juarez; stepson, Adam Rosas; eleven grandchildren, Amariya, Jabari, Willie Charles Jr., Alize, Jadyn, Jamiah “Miah”, Ezekiel, David, Ulissi, Ciro, Carlito; two sisters, Margaret Singleton, Phenix City, Alabama, Elder Princetta Payne, Smyrna, Georgia; four stepsisters, Michelle Daniels, Freda Wilson, Ingrid Robinson, Tomika Phillips; two nephews, Tracy (Angela), Fort Mitchell, Alabama, Genovia (Jasmine), Spring Lake, North Carolina; four nieces, Chebon, Phenix City, Alabama, Angela, Catherine, Charlene, all of Saginaw, Michigan; a host of great-nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, including his special friend Linda Rivera, who loved and cared for him during his illness.