MILLARD LEE PAYNE,

73, of North Little Rock, passed from this life on April 28, 2021. He was born September 3, 1947, in Lake Village, Arkansas, the last of eleven children born to the late Ellis and Myra Fowler Payne. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam war with honor and courage. Millard was a devoted member of North Hills Baptist Church. He loved being outdoors, especially hunting or fishing, but his greatest joys were found is his relationships with his wife, children, grandchildren and church family.

In addition to his parents; siblings, Loreda Virden, Bill Payne, Maxine Evins, Doris Fay Matthews, Norman Payne, Faburn Payne, L.D. Payne, Lamar Payne, Robert Payne, and James Earl Payne, preceded him in death. Left to celebrate his memory are his loving and devoted wife of forty years, Lisa Payne; children, Myra (Tim) Strecker of Dardanelle, Drew (Ashlee) Payne of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Savanah (Logan) Killer, Tinsley Payne, Collin Payne, and great-granddaughter, Ella Grace Standridge. Other survivors include Mr. Payne’s church family and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral services are 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at North Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Ward and Pastor Phillip Payne officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Payne’s memory may be made to North Hills Baptist Church. Hunter Payne, Tommy Grizzard, John Payne, Larry Jones, DaRon McNutt and Scott Addie will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Payne, Stan Payne, Kenny Payne, Logan Killer, Michael Steele, Mark Steele, John Mark Payne, and Dennis Eisenhart.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114, (501) 758-1170. Online guest register is at: www.smithfamilycares.com