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Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Wilbert A. Payne I

8/21/1952 - 3/10/2025

Text:

Obituary For Mr. Wilbert A. Payne I

Mr. Wilbert A. Payne, 72 of Beckley, WV, passed away on March 10, 2025. Born on August 21, 1952, to Brown Hugo Payne and Ruth Boyd Payne of Beckley, WV, Wilbert was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Thereafter, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany as a lifeguard for a three-year tour of duty. Wilbert earned his bachelor’s degree from Bluefield State University, Bluefield, WV.

Wilbert, additionally, received his Juris Doctorate (JD) from the Howard University School of Law (HUSL) in 1981.

Wilbert was the first third-generation African American attorney in the United States at the time of his graduation.

Wilbert practiced law in Beckley, WV, for forty-four years, first in a private law practice with his father, the late Brown Hugo Payne, and then as a solo practitioner. Wilbert concluded his legal career as Chief Public Defender with the Raleigh County Public Defenders’ Office. He was an active member of the West Virginia Bar Association, the Raleigh County Bar Association, and the Mountain State Bar Association - the oldest minority bar association in the country, where he championed the Brown Wesley Payne Fund for Future West Virginia Attorneys.

Wilbert lived a full life filled with excitement, laughter, loved ones, and law. He was known for his sense of humor and robust personality, always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and family. He was a dedicated community member, always looking out for his neighbors. His passion for law, zeal for life, and unwavering bluntness touched the hearts and minds of all who knew him.

Wilbert was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated and served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Raleigh County Emergency Operating Center (EOC). Additionally, he provided free legal services to local veterans at the VA Hospital in Beckley, WV.

Wilbert will be dearly missed and remembered, especially during gatherings of food and laughter, by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Wilbert is survived by his older brother, Brown Wesley (Butch) Payne, Brittney Payne; baby sister, Brittany Payne; first cousin, Maxine Strauder; four loving children, Wilbert A. Payne II, Wesley L. Payne (Shayla), Rebecca F. Payne, and Christopher H. Payne; six grandchildren, Taylee Payne, Arabella Beard, Robert Beard, Sicily Payne, Giselle Payne, and Khairo Payne, and a “GrandCat,” Jag Payne.

Wilbert also will be missed by his closest and most loyal friends, David Rinehart, Charles (Chucky) Clark, and his Howard University School of Law School classmates.

As per his request, he has been cremated.

Family directed memorial service will be 11:00am Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 Kanawha St, Beckley, WV.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may visit with the family one-hour prior.

To livestream visit heartofgodministrieswv.org

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

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Tributes

Michaele Abner sent Red and White Floor Basket for Mr. Wilbert A. Payne I - 03/21/2025

God's peace to a life well-lived. Mickey Thomas (Jack)

Condolences

03/22/2025

Oneida Gilbert

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Wilbert Payne.
03/20/2025

Wilbert & Doris McCormick

May the Lord bless you and keep you during your hours of bereavement. God bless each of you!
03/20/2025

Terri Ritchie Brown

Extending my sincere heartfelt sympathy to the family in the loss of Wilbert.... Wilbert was a lifelong friend of my brother -Doug Ritchie -I have many childhood memories of Wilbert, Scotty, and Doug.they are now all reunited in heaven May God grant you peace during your time of bereavement With Love and prayers Terri Ritchie Brown
03/19/2025

Vickie Bandy

My prayers and condolences to the family of Wilbert Payne. Wilbert was like a big brother to me when I first relocated to Maryland and he helped me to find my first apartment in the same complex where he and his family resided, while attending HUSL. Vickie Bandy
03/19/2025

Arnita Mitchell Branch & Family

To the Payne Family: "Learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's case. Isaiah 1:17. The Mitchell Family will be forever grateful and will never forget the professional legal services provided by the Payne Law Firm and Associates for our family in relation to our Mother. Thank you. May God continue to keep your family safe in the palms of his hands. Arnita Mitchell Branch and Family. .
03/18/2025

Pancho Morris

I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of Wilbert. I will forever remember his big laughter and the help he gave to many of us via the Brown W. Payne scholarship. Thanks Wilbert for all you did. You ran a great race. Rest easy.
03/17/2025

Virginia.jefferson

Condolences and prayers to the Payne Family from Pryor Family-Virginia-Dreama-Doretha-Cynthia-David
03/17/2025

- Charlene Wynes Davis

Prayers
03/16/2025

Sandra Pittman

Giving my Deepest Condolences to the Payne Family
03/16/2025

Reginald Green

Rest in peace my good friend condolences and prayers too the family Reggie and Cheryl Green
03/16/2025

Micheal Harper

May GOD bless and keep the family. The Lord has taken Wilbur home to be with him. You are in my prayers. Amen
03/15/2025

Eileen and Clifford

To the Payne family. You have our sympathy and prayers. May God bless and keep you during this difficult time. Sincerely Clifford and Eileen Washington
03/14/2025

Oketta GreenNickens
03/14/2025

Hurshel Victor Ricks II

Sending my condolences with love to his family, friends and countless of lives that he has touched and changed to find a greater purpose.
03/13/2025

James & Delena Jones

Our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mr Wilbert Payne. We pray that God will comfort you during this time. May God Bless you Bishop James & First Lady Delena Jones
03/13/2025

Rise" Ashe

You are truly going to be missed. Condolences to the family. Sending healing prays to everyone. 🕊🙏🏾❤️ Rise", Stacey & Tahzee'
03/13/2025

Diane Green

My friend and brother!!! Wilbert spent many a happy time with the family for occasions because he is family and he is missed already!!! Love and blessings from our Savior Jesus Christ to you all ❤️!!!
03/12/2025

Elizabeth Zeigler

My sincere prayers and condolences to family and friends 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
03/12/2025

Sandra Pittman

Giving My Condolences to the Payne Family.
03/12/2025

Donna F Thompson
03/11/2025

Charles Beard

My sincere Condolences to the family and friends, may the Lord continually bless and comfort you all 🙏🏿💓
03/11/2025

Larry Hoskins
03/10/2025

Angel Lawson