Archie Melling Payne, 90, of the Gull Rock Community in Hyde County, died in Washington on Wednesday evening, August 16, 2017 after a period of declining health.

Born in Hyde County, June 5, 1927, he was the son of the late Warren Benjamin and Etha Amelia Mason Payne. He was married to Frances Steen Payne who preceded him in death.

Archie spent a lifetime working on the water as he spent his time crabbing, and he worked for a long number of years with Etheridge Oil and Gas in Engelhard. He served his country during World War II in the U. S. Navy.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the family plot in Brooks Cemetery in Gull Rock. Steve Bryan and Sam Eburn will officiate.

Surviving are a son, Leroy M. Payne and Linda Levrette of Washington; two daughters, Lucille P. Lassiter and husband, Ronnie of Gasburg, VA, and Ann P. O’Neal and husband, George of Buxton; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a son, Archie M. Payne Jr.; siblings, Alton Payne, Elvin Payne, Nellie Harris, Esther Powell and Cora Lee Nobles.

The family will receive friends at Bryan Funeral Service in Swan Quarter on Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m., and online sympathy messages may be directed to www.bryanfs.com.