Brian L. Payne

August 10, 1968 - October 4, 2020
Brian L. Payne

Gifts & Memorial Donations



Brian L. Payne, 52, entered into the arms of his heavenly savior, Jesus Christ on October 4, 2020. He left behind his family unexpectedly, but was reunited with his parents, Richard and Cheryl Payne, as well as his beloved grandparents.

Brian was born on August 10, 1968 in St. Petersburg, Florida and lived in Sarasota, Florida until the age of 7 when his family moved to Plum Tree, North Carolina. Brian attended Avery County High School where he participated in JROTC. Brian graduated Avery County High School class of 1986. He then attended Appalachian State University for three years.

Brian called the mountains of WNC home until the summer of 1989 when he moved back to Sarasota, Florida where he met his wife, Dena Payne. Brian and Dena married on July 1, 1990 and then he finished his Bachelor’s Degree later that year at The University of South Florida.  Brian and Dena were blessed with five amazing children, Alec Richard, Austin Ryan, Andrew Dennis, Adam Daniel, and then his princess, Abigail Mae.

In order to better his family, Brian went back to school and earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration. The family then returned to the mountains of Western North Carolina in September of 2010. Brian worked in mental health care throughout his career, but had later served as Director of Salvation Army Bradenton Emergency Shelter where he found his passion for serving others from April of 2019 through February of 2020.

Brian returned back home to Hendersonville, North Carolina where he continued his career at Mountain Care Adult Day Services. He was a loving and caring husband and father who loved his family more than anyone could imagine and continuously showed that through various sacrifices he made.

Left to cherish Brian’s memory are his wife, Dena Payne; sons, Alec Richard, Austin Ryan, and spouse August, Andrew Dennis, and spouse Erica, and Adam Daniel; a daughter, Abigail Mae; and a sister Julie Roosa, as well as other close family members, Dennis and Anne Tabor, Justin and Caryn Tabor and their son, Jackson.

The Payne family were emotionally and financially unprepared to deal with this loss.  Friends of the family are asking for your support to contribute to Brian’s memorial fund so that his loved ones will have the resources necessary to deal with some of the financial burdens which they will certainly face in the upcoming weeks and months ahead.  If you can give, please click the “Donate” button below this text.  If you are unable to contribute at this time, please share this campaign so that others may be made aware of this worthy cause.

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A public visitation will be held Thursday, October 8, 2020 from 2-3:30pm at Shuler Funeral Home, located at 125 Orr’s Camp Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. It will be followed by a private service for the family.


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  • October 07, 2020
    Steve Garren says:
    My condolences and prayers for your family. I never met or even had the opportunity to speak to Brian but I recently met one of his sons and couldn’t have been more impressed. Dena you and Brian obviously did a fantastic job raising Austin and I am sure the other children are just as wonderful. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.

  • October 22, 2020
    Brian Harvell says:
    I am just now learning of Brian's passing and I am so sorry. Brian was in the dorm room next to me our freshman year at ASU. We had no contact after our freshman year in college but I woke up thinking about him this morning unexpectedly for some odd reason. I casually decided to look him up online and find out what happened to him only to discover he passed away just 2 weeks ago. My heartfelt condolences to his wife and children. I know what sort of a person he was as a freshman at 18 (kind, funny, loyal), but from all the comments posted here I can say he turned into a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He will be missed!

  • October 15, 2020
    Marina Kovalyova says:
    So sorry for your loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to family and loved ones

  • October 11, 2020
    Marsha Clark Hoilman says:
    Brian was always a very sweet person. I went to high school with him and graduated with his sister Julie. So sad and sorry to hear of his passing. Thoughts and prayers go out to his sister Julie, his wife, and children . May the Lord give you comfort, strength and peace today and in the days ahead.

  • October 09, 2020
    Anita Mohanty says:
    I had the privilege of working for Bryan in New Bern, NC, He was so kind and caring towards us! I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family & friends.