Gabriel Alexander Payne

Gabriel Alexander Payne was a happy, beautiful soul who left this world as quietly as he entered it in the early morning of March 7, 2022, achieving ultimate victory over AML has been a blessing to this earth for 17 years, 8 months, and 6 days. Gabe’s beautiful soul was evident in his sweet smile, sweetheart, and beautiful eyes. He was everyone’s friend with an incredible (sometimes dark) sense of humor and the ability to converse easily even with perfect strangers. He was empathetic, compassionate, and always placed others before himself. He was truly one of a kind. Gabe was a 2022 graduate of Richlands High School. He had mastered the art of the pun, speaking only in puns for 2 hours straight one day, as well as every single video game he ever attempted. If you were stuck in a game, Gabe was your #1 resource; if you were playing a game against him, you were probably gonna lose. He loved to go fishing, cooking, drawing, building things, animals, origami, and Pokémon. He enjoyed watching The Nanny, Impractical Jokers, MasterChef, and most other Gordon Ramsay shows. He loved gloomy, rainy days and going for drives - especially on gloomy, rainy days. He looked forward to becoming a dad one day and “just being happy” in his future. During the last six months of his life, Gabe fought AML with such tenacity, strength, and courage that he became an inspiration to many. Each obstacle was met with the same positive responses from Gabe; no matter how bad he felt he had a smile, compliment, positive comment, or hug for every person that he encountered. He always tried to make people smile. Gabe was made of grit and grace - grit to be courageous and stubborn enough to always keep fighting on his terms and grace to be light and inspiration to us all as he faced his Goliath. Gabe was the knower of the strangest facts and the giver of the greatest hugs. Gabe was good - be good like Gabe. Gabe was greeted in Heaven by his Paw Paws: Jerry Lee Payne, Sr. and Lloyd Campbell Buskill, his aunt Lindsay Shay Honaker Payne, and his uncle Ronald Dean Miller. The shattered hearts left behind: Gabe’s mom and dad: Cynthia and Clifford Allen; father and step-mother: Barry and Bryan Payne; his brother and best buddy: Jacob Payne; his little (and much shorter) sister: Lily Payne; grandparents: Shirley Buskill, Billy and Edna Allen; Aunts: Marie Boone and husband John, Kimberly Sarrubbo; Uncles: Jimmy Lowe and wife Tammie, Jerry Lee Payne, Jr; Cousins: Wayne “Bugs” Newberry, Marissa and Kyara Lowe, Kara and Raegan Boyd; datemate and snove Micky; bonus brother: Julian Phipps; best friends: Brittney Shelton and Ethan Looney; K-9 companion who was always “doing a guard” over Gabe: Rusty. Gabe’s journey was blessed from beginning to end by countless people and his family would like to thank: Dr. Atkinson (Angel), Dr. Borowicz, Dr. Edwards, and the rest of the angels at Carilion Pediatric Hematology and Oncology office. All angels of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Children’s Hospital PEDS 11S and Gabe’s sweeties - the bright spots of his many days spent there - Gabey Baby loved each of you so much RHS principal Rickie Vencill, staff (especially Mrs. Hurst, Mrs. Brown, and Mr. Kirby), and students City on a Hill Richlands Fire and Rescue and Richlands Police Department for providing safe transport for transfusions. Legacy Hospice - Tammie, Beth, Alissa, Sara All Gabe’s prayer warriors A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, March 12 @ 2:00 at City on a Hill with Pastor Barry Absher officiating. Please wear Gabe’s favorite color, green or “His fight is our fight” shirts. Donations for Carilion Children’s Child Life program will be accepted. This program provides activities and support for hospitalized children. Good donation ideas include small toys, cards, board games, activity sets, art sets for children of all ages. Child Life was a great source of comfort and distractions through so many lengthy hospitalizations. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands oversees the arrangement, and those wishing to express sympathy may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Gabriel Alexander Payne

July 1, 2004 - March 7, 2022