Velma Lee Lunsford Payne, 89, of Weaverville, passed away Friday, October 7, 2022. She was a long-time resident of Buncombe County and the daughter of the late Ralph and Locke Worley Lunsford. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Payne, who passed away in 2000; brothers, Ralph Lunsford, Jr., Loy, Ken, and Howard Lunsford; sisters, Ruth Stines and Nora Mae Hensley.

Mrs. Payne is survived by her son, Robert Payne (Linda); grandson, Matthew Payne (Amaya); sisters, Jean Burnette (Danny), Mary Lou Ponder, and Christine Wilson (Wayne); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30am Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at West Memorial Park. Reverend Nelson Ponder will officiate. The family will have a private visitation from 10:00-11:00 on Tuesday at Blue Ridge Funeral Service prior to the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bluerdidgefuneralservice.org.