Oscar Emmert Payne
1926-2021
Oscar Emmert Payne, age 94, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at The Berkeley Springs Center LLC.
Born November 11, 1926 in Cherry Run, W.Va., he was the son of the late John Harrison and Victoria Potter Payne.
He attended Wesleyan Chapel in Berkeley Springs. He attended Red Hill School, New Hope School and Berkeley Springs High School.
Oscar had worked as a warehouse foreman at Berkeley Springs Cold Storage and retired as a masseur with Berkeley Springs State Park.
He was a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics Council #117 where he held various offices. He was named 1984 Junior of the Year and 2008 Statesman of the Year. He enjoyed gardening.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Viola Virginia Steiner Payne, of Berkeley Springs and one brother, the Rev. Doyle Elwood Payne of Harrisonburg, Va. and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his beloved fur family, Buster, Trouble, Big Red, White Boy, Mommie, Gray Boy, Gray Girl, May Ling, Blessed and Lilly.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Victoria Payne Nichols, his grandson, Larry Hudson Weber, four sisters, Leslie Alice Michael, Opal Lorraine Payne, Adela Marison Thompson and Lydia Arvella Cherie and six brothers, Raymond Milton, Orval Lee, John Alva “Junior,” Walter Lee, William Virgil and Marvin Emory Payne.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 4, 2021 at Spohrs Crossroads Cemetery, 5377 Martinsburg Road, Berkeley Springs, W.Va. with Rev. William C. Swope officiating. Family and friends assembled at the cemetery at 1:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsley johnsonfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
