Christopher D. Payne, 53, of Lucasville, passed away February 7, 2026 at Southern Ohio Medical Center after a long and hard-fought battle with diabetes. He endured dialysis treatments while striving to regain the life he loved. He was born October 4, 1972 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Danny and Lena Payne. Along with his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emmanuel and Edna Redouty and Leo and Francis Payne.
Christopher worked for 30 years for the State of Ohio, beginning his career at Ross County Institution before transferring to Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. He loved hunting and fishing and took great pride in teaching young people to appreciate and respect the outdoors through those passions. Whether riding his ATV through the woods or spending time on his boat whenever he could, he felt most at home outside. He also loved spending his Saturdays and Sundays watching football, especially Ohio State Football, and was passionate about helping youth through coaching and mentoring.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughters, Alexis and Brianna Tolbert; his sister, Melissa Payne; his three grandchildren, Paislee, Hadley, and Waylon; his nieces, Aeryel (Caleb) King and Danyel (Nathan) Hettinger, great niece and nephew; and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
Services will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 6:00PM at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth, with a small service conducted by the SOCF Honor Guard. Friends may gather at the funeral home on Friday beginning at 4:00 PM. A celebration of life will be held at a later date at convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Northwest High School Softball Team in his memory. An account has been established at Atomic Credit Union in Lucasville. Donations may be dropped off at any Atomic Location or mailed to 711 Beaver Creek Rd. Piketon Ohio 45661 ATTN: Tawnya Bostwik
Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com.