SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 396
In Memory
of
Thomas Jefferson Payne
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Dr. Thomas Jefferson Payne, who died
March 30, 2023, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, The son of James Payne and Vivian Smith Payne,
Thomas Payne was born in Marlin on October 21, 1935; he accepted
his call to the ministry in 1973 and enrolled in the Christian
ministry degree program at the Southern Bible Institute in
Dallas, and he graduated with honors in 1976; he preached his
first sermon at Mount Horeb Missionary Baptist Church in Reagor
Springs on October 7, 1973, and in 1976, he was called to pastor
the Samaria Baptist Church in Kerens, Texas, where he served
through 1981; and
WHEREAS, A distinguished scholar and a devoted spiritual
servant, Thomas further pursued studies in theology at Dallas
Bible College and Dallas Baptist University from 1986 through
1989; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Payne co-founded the Pearly Gate Baptist
Church on December 17, 1981, and he ministered faithfully to the
physical and spiritual needs of his congregation until his
retirement in 2016; under Pastor Payne's outstanding leadership,
the church grew dramatically from its original congregation of 22
to its current membership of over 3,000, and it has provided
enlightenment, hope, and support to the Dallas community for more
than 40 years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Payne had a distinguished 34-year career with
LTV Corporation from 1954 to 1988; he held an honorary doctorate
in humanities from the Southern Bible Institute, and he received
the Dr. Milton K. Curry Jr. Education Award in 2014; a treasured
leader in his community, Dr. Payne served as executive board
treasurer of Southern Bible Institute and as the revival chairman
of the Oak Cliff Baptist Minister's Union; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Payne shared 47 devoted years of marriage
with the late Geraldine Payne; he was blessed once again to find
love with Sandra Fay Buckley, whom he married in 2006; a loving
husband, father, and grandfather, Pastor Payne greatly cherished
his 12 children, his 29 grandchildren, and his 36
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, A revered spiritual leader and counselor and an
esteemed member of the Dallas community, Dr. Thomas Payne
inspired countless congregates and colleagues as a mentor,
pastor, and friend, and he will long be remembered with deep
respect and admiration by all who were privileged to share in his
life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Dr. Thomas Jefferson Payne; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Dr. Thomas Payne.
West
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 11, 2023, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate