Donzell Payne, 77, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at his residence in Charlotte, NC.

****

This service will be live streamed.

****

You may view by clicking the link below.

https://boxcast.tv/view/donzell-payne-mh5u5jzppijjxvl10uqb

"If the above URL isn't working, try copying and pasting it into your web browser."

****

A beautiful, rich, adventurous life has come to a close for Donzell Payne. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was the 5th son, and number eight of ten children of the late Edgar Payne (Senior) and Georgia (Fleming) Payne and lovingly known as 'Diesel' to his siblings. Donzell attended Reid School in Belmont and completed his education at West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In his early adulthood, Donzell married his 1st wife, Mary Bynum Payne. Together  they became the parents of his only biological child and named her Angela.

Donzell enjoyed many genres of music. He traveled with several bands and musicians as the lead vocalist and played musical instruments in his spare time. In his mid-twenties, Donzell join the military for the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany for several years until he was forced to vacate his duties due to being injured. As a proud US Veteran, Donzell received an 'Honorable Discharge'.

As love would have it, Donzell met and married his second wife of 40 years, the late Alberta "Bert" Friday (Grier) Payne where he gained five step-children, of whom he went on to relish many valuable years with until his recent departure.
Donzell worked for many years with the City of Charlotte's Water Department as a Foreman as well as with Charlotte's Transportation System (CATS) as a driver. During this portion of his life, Donzell partnered with close friends promoting local and national talent, bringing them to The Charlotte Coliseum, arenas, and pavilions. This was an exciting time in their life together as Donzell and Bert met and befriended a host of famous entertainers and performers. Donzell ultimately retired from working in 2013.

To his family, his many friends, his colleagues, and other associates, Donzell was known as one who is straight-forward and committed to the cause, yet humorous and fun loving.  The time and commitment he devoted to his wife, Alberta's care and well-being throughout the years is to be acknowledged and commended.
Donzell leaves us to appreciate his LOVE for music with beautiful vocal talent, his DEDICATION as a loving husband, his DETERMINATION to carry on in the toughest of times, his BRAVERY of heart in facing the challenges life presented him, that he was FIGHTER, proven by his endurance until the end.

Donzell was preceded in death by wife, Alberta Payne (2024) and by his previous wife, Mary Hall (2017).  To cherish his memory, he leaves a loving and devoted daughter, Mrs. Angela P. Smith (Sanford Smith, Jr.), of Denver Colorado, five affectionate step-children, Dawn Adams, Ronald Grier Jr., Mrs. Annette Bryant (Thaddeus Bryant [d]), Scott Grier, Benjie Grier, all of Charlotte, NC; brother, Ray Payne; sisters, Mrs. Gabreell Pigue (Donald Pigue [d]), Brenda Payne, Mrs. Faye Hunt (Samuel L. Hunt [d]), Mrs. Sandra Alexander (Larry Alexander); sisters-in-law, Mrs. Mary Payne (Edgar "June" Payne [d]) Mrs. Sarah Payne (Herbert Payne [d]), Mrs. Dorothy Payne (Willie Payne [d]), all of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Cameron Maxwell (Brajanae J. Maxwell), Carrington Maxwell (Khalia R. Maxwell) of Atlanta, GA, Cuenton Billingsley, Jaquan Goss, Antonio Mack, Kirsten Bryant, Kaylan Bryant, Dailyn Bryant, Daunte Adams, Jessica Grier, Toryann Grier, Elijah Grier, Raylan Grier, Tarin Grier, Rasheen Grier, all of Charlotte, NC and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.