SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 396
	In Memory
	of
	Thomas Jefferson Payne
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
	commemorates the life of Dr. Thomas Jefferson Payne, who died
	March 30, 2023, at the age of 87; and
	WHEREAS, The son of James Payne and Vivian Smith Payne,
	Thomas Payne was born in Marlin on October 21, 1935; he accepted
	his call to the ministry in 1973 and enrolled in the Christian
	ministry degree program at the Southern Bible Institute in
	Dallas, and he graduated with honors in 1976; he preached his
	first sermon at Mount Horeb Missionary Baptist Church in Reagor
	Springs on October 7, 1973, and in 1976, he was called to pastor
	the Samaria Baptist Church in Kerens, Texas, where he served
	through 1981; and
	WHEREAS, A distinguished scholar and a devoted spiritual
	servant, Thomas further pursued studies in theology at Dallas
	Bible College and Dallas Baptist University from 1986 through
	1989; and
	WHEREAS, Pastor Payne co-founded the Pearly Gate Baptist
	Church on December 17, 1981, and he ministered faithfully to the
	physical and spiritual needs of his congregation until his
	retirement in 2016; under Pastor Payne's outstanding leadership,
	the church grew dramatically from its original congregation of 22
	to its current membership of over 3,000, and it has provided
	enlightenment, hope, and support to the Dallas community for more
	than 40 years; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Payne had a distinguished 34-year career with
	LTV Corporation from 1954 to 1988; he held an honorary doctorate
	in humanities from the Southern Bible Institute, and he received
	the Dr. Milton K. Curry Jr. Education Award in 2014; a treasured
	leader in his community, Dr. Payne served as executive board
	treasurer of Southern Bible Institute and as the revival chairman
	of the Oak Cliff Baptist Minister's Union; and
	WHEREAS, Pastor Payne shared 47 devoted years of marriage
	with the late Geraldine Payne; he was blessed once again to find
	love with Sandra Fay Buckley, whom he married in 2006; a loving
	husband, father, and grandfather, Pastor Payne greatly cherished
	his 12 children, his 29 grandchildren, and his 36
	great-grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, A revered spiritual leader and counselor and an
	esteemed member of the Dallas community, Dr. Thomas Payne
	inspired countless congregates and colleagues as a mentor,
	pastor, and friend, and he will long be remembered with deep
	respect and admiration by all who were privileged to share in his
	life; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
	Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
	family of Dr. Thomas Jefferson Payne; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
	Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
	memory of Dr. Thomas Payne.
	West
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on April 11, 2023, by a
		rising vote.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate