Raymond John Payne (15 Jun 1944 - 19 Dec 2016)

Thanks for all of the memories Grandad. I'll always remember them and you'll be forever be in my heart. I'll see you again my old mate.

Love James xxx

Dear Grandad,

I cannot put into words my appreciation for all that you have given me. I will always strive to grow into the man you were. Rest in peace my first best mate.

Love Matthew xx

I'm so glad we got to meet Ray through the bowls club,I have great memories of you and Barry Gough working behind the bar,playing the music and I like you am an Elvis fan,the 60's was the best time to be a teenager,you were a lovely kind gentle man. KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR ELVIS.

Deepest sympathies to Linda and the family

Marilyn

Dear Ray my best mate, I've known him for over 47 years, we worked together and became best mates straight away. We played football in our younger days, then later in life we went fishing and then played bowles together and against (thanks Ray). I know when I next go fishing and its all quiet you will come and talk to me. Rest in Peace my old mate, your always friends.. George and Judy Hind

My eulogy to grandad

I know Grandad would have loved to join in with the celebrations of his life today and he’s probably looking over us now, itching to throw a dance move or sing one of his favourite Elvis songs. I think you would all agree that Grandad was the life and soul of any social gathering or event and would do his utmost to make everyone feel welcome, involved and happy.

Grandad really was the ‘man’ of the Payne family and when I start hearing memories of his upbringing I can really see why he was the man he was. From what I hear, Grandad’s father, my great-grandad, was very strict when it came to work and expected Grandad to work as soon as he was old enough, which is probably why Grandad was such a hard working man throughout his life. He worked 7days a week for the majority of his life to look after his family, which I think is such an achievement. Annoyingly for me and my sisters our Dad has carried on with Grandad’s hard working ethic (haha!) – girls you know what I mean!!!

When I say Grandad was the man of the house, I mean it from a protection point of view as well. He would do absolutely anything to ensure his grandchildren were happy because when he saw us happy he was even happier. A great example of this was when he went running back into the shop after a shop assistant rudely spoke to my cousin James! I think he said something along the lines of “now you listen to me, you’ve really upset my Grandson and I’m not having that…”, isn’t that right James?

Also when it came to protection he would put our safety first! I recall one time when Grandma and Grandad were looking after us during a school week and myself and Alice, my sister, were in an afterschool Homework club which finished 5 minutes later than expected. Grandad didn’t carry his phone around so we weren’t able to tell him we would be slightly late. Grandad started to panic and came into the school asking all of the teachers where we were and was so relieved to see us coming out just 5 minutes later than expected!! We were a bit embarrassed but we were fine!

Grandma and Grandad coming to look after us also reminds me of the time Grandad injured himself – I don’t think grandad and our house were best friends! Whether it be painting our house and falling off a ladder or walking down to the Indian to get a take-a-way menu for a school week “treat” and slipping on some ice, damaging his shoulder. There would always be an injury or a mishap when he came to look after us. But as you can tell from these examples, he was only trying to make his family happy.

Grandad you were such a family man and you should be incredibly proud for directing and mentoring us to be the people we are today. Your family and friends will never ever forget you and I know you will never forget us. Rest in peace my beautiful Grandad. God Bless xxxx

My eulogy to Grandad

I always thought that finding the words to express how much Grandad meant, and will always mean to me, would be easy. But to find words to describe how amazing, loving and supportive Grandad was has been difficult, perhaps because it’s impossible to write down how great a person he was, as it can only really come from my heart.
Grandad never failed to put a smile on anyone’s face. My fondest memories are of the times the family couldn’t stop laughing because of something he had said or something he had done. Whether it was getting too drunk at Christmas and trying to open an ice cream tub with the lid already off, or having one too many at Auntie Lisa’s wedding and having to be walked home, propped up by my Dad, or pretending to trip over with a mug of tea (which was empty) so we thought that it’d go all over the carpet.
Grandad’s love of music is something that everyone knows. He loved Elvis, Chaz and Dave, Billy Nut (no I don’t really know who he is either!). He would sing and dance to all their songs around the house. His eyes literally perked up as soon as he heard any of these songs, making us turn the sound up so we could appreciate the music. Even when we’d all had enough he was adamant they’d remain on. I probably know every word to every Elvis song now – definitely something Grandad would be proud of!
I’m going to miss the laughs, the jokes and the strength you gave me grandad. I’m going to miss you telling me to have a gin and tonic because I’ve worked hard at Uni and deserved it. I’m going to miss the love that you gave to me and everyone you knew. I’m going to miss just calling up, speaking to you on the phone to see how your day was. I’m going to miss the hugs. But I’ll remember and cherish the memories we have forever. I love you xxxx

My eulogy to Grandad

I am so privileged to call Ray Payne my Grandad. He will forever be the kindest, loving and warm-hearted man – which I know no one will disagree with. I will never forget the fun he put in my life. He filled every moment we shared together with joy and happiness. Grandad was the life and soul of the party. He was pretty much the joker of the family, lifting everyone’s spirits. I am so thankful for the time grandad gave me, always wanting to know how my life is going and the gossip in my life. I don’t think there was ever a time when I saw grandad that he didn’t ask, ‘do you have yourself a nice looking boy yet Ems?’ The answer was always ‘no’. But grandad, I will find a boy one day who you will love don’t you worry about that.
The memories with my grandad are wonderful. I will treasure every one of those forever. I think I get my cheekiness from my grandad. I remember one time when we were young, my sisters and I were staying at Grandma and Grandads. It was bedtime and we had just brushed our teeth and we came downstairs to say goodnight. Grandad gave me a malteaser just before I went to sleep (I thought I was so naughty). Grandma wasn’t happy about this as I then had to re-brush my teeth and obviously being young, that sugar rush would make me hyper!! The funny thing I remember is grandads face when grandma said ‘RAYMOND (when he was called Raymond, he knew he was in trouble!!), they have just brushed their teeth’ but this just shows that grandad would do anything to put a smile on our faces. My grandad loved giving us treats and spoiling us. I respect my grandad, he lived every single day to the full and made sure everyone was happy. I hope I follow in his footsteps and make my life the best it possibly can be. I just want to make him proud.
I will never forget our signature face better known as ‘the flamers’ which goes like this. Most of you are probably thinking how weird, but that just says it all, my grandad didn't care and totally enjoyed life, dancing around the room with us, pretending to be a monkey. We looked like complete idiots but grandad didn’t care which made me not care.
I know you’re listening grandad so just to let you know I will carry on the flamers throughout my life. God bless you grandad. I will always love you xxxx

Memories of Dad

I will take this special moment
To turn my thoughts to Dad
Thank him for the home he gave
For all the things we had.

We think about the fleeting years
Too quickly, gone for good
It seems like only yesterday
I’d go back if I could.

A time when Dad was always there,
No matter what the weather.
Always strong when things went wrong
He held our lives together.

He strived so hard from day to day
And never once complained.
With steady hands, he worked so hard
And kept the family name.

He taught us that hard work pays off,
You reap just what you sow.
He said that if you tend your crops,
Your field will overflow.

My life has been bountiful
He taught me how to give
In his firm and steadfast way
He taught me how to live.

Dad dwells among the angels now
He left us much too soon
He glides across a golden field
Above the harvest moon.

I see him in the summer rain,
He rides upon the wind
And when my path is beaten down
He picks me up again.

I love you dad xxx

My darling husband Ray, I miss you so very much, you will be forever in my heart. all my love, your loving wife Linda xxx

Rest in peace Uncle Ray.

A wonderful caring, funny man who will be greatly missed as a great friend and Bowls partner. Thanks for some wonderful memories "Raymondo". x

Such a lovely man, your smile,charisma will be missed by us all rip Ray

What a lovely man Ray was. A gentleman in every sense of the word, whose family were his world. Although only his Son in Law in recent times, Ray made me feel very much part of things... always sincere and kind with a ready smile and warm welcome, qualities that quickly earned my respect and affection. Thank you for all that you were, Ray. Love from Richard.

Such lovely memories. We met Ray and Linda when we bought our first house in Rainham and we have remained friends ever since.
Whenever we saw Ray he was always positive, cheerful and good fun and it has been an absolute delight to know such a wonderful man. Rest in Peace. xx

In loving memory of the best father in law anyone could have. I was certainly very privileged Ray to have you as mine. Rest in peace, god bless xx

In memory of my amazing grandad ray! You will be very missed by all those that knew you. I will never ever forget you. Rest in peace, I love you! Xx

In memory of Ray, rest in peace x

In loving memory of Ray, a great father-in-law that I had the privilege to know and love for many years and who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. I have many fond memories that will stay with me for ever. Rest in peace Ray. x

You was a pleasure to know

In loving memory of Ray, a great father-in-law that I had the privilege to know and love for many years and who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. I have many fond memories which will stay with me for ever. Rest in peace Ray. x

In loving memory of a very dear friend xx

With all our love XX

Ray- a lovely man who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. My thoughts will be with you all in Tuesday, 17 January,

Ray- a lovely man who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. My thoughts will be with you on Tuesday, 17 January