Dr. Ralph J. Payne, Jr., 57, of Big Sprng, died on Monday, April 19, 2004, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Matt Miles, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.He was born on October 19, 1946, in Little Rock, Arkansas and married Janet Kotulski on April 7, 1978 in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Payne worked twenty-two years with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, serving in seven duty stations. He served five years as a warden. He was awarded the outstanding New Warden of the Year the first year he was in Big Spring. Following his retirement from the Bureau of Prisons, Dr. Payne briefly taught Psychology at Howard College in Big Spring. He was an avid golfer at the Country Club and enjoyed fishing. He loved his family.Dr. Payne received his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Arkansas; his master's degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and his doctorate from the University of Mississippi at Oxford. Education was an important part of his life, as his parents were teachers and his father was a principal. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. He was a member of the Big Spring Rotary, the American Psychological Association and the American Correctional Association. Survivors include his wife, Janet Payne of Big Spring; one son, Todd Payne and wife, Michelle, of Memphis, Tennessee; two daughters, Julie Payne of Dallas, and Angela Payne of Big Spring; one brother, Dr. William F. Payne and wife, Janice, of Little Rock, Arkansas; and two grandchildren, Mary Grace and Ethan Payne of Memphis, Tennessee.He was preceded in death by his parents.The family suggests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 2222, Big Spring, Texas 79721-2222 or Relay For Life, %First Presbyterian Church, Attn: Paula Farquhar.The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
