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Submitted: 2/11/16 • Approved: 2/25/16 • Last Updated: 4/15/18 • R787035-G787035-S3
Purlie
26 Feb 1883 Audrain, MO - Feb 25, 1958 Memphis, Shelby, TN
Lillian
1886 St. Louis, St. Louis, MO - 1972 St. Louis, St, Louis, MO
The Steele Enterprise, Steele, Missouri
Friday, February 28, 1958: Purlie S. Payne, president of the Bank of Steele, who would have reached the age of 75 years the next day, died at 6:15 Tuesday evening at the Methodist Hospital in Memphis where he had been a patient two months. Death was caused by melanoma. Mrs. Payne was at his bedside.
He was born in Audrain County, Missouri, and came to Cooter as a bookkeeper for the late J.E. Franklin, who came to Pemiscot County in the 1890's, establishing a string of banks in southeast Missouri and at Blytheville, Ark., and also developed the 5,000 acre Lake Farm near Cooter.
Mr. Payne was the first mayor of Cooter and cashier of the Bank of Cooter when it was organized. This position he held for 15 to 17 years until in 1923 when he came to Steele to be president of the Bank of Steele, the position he held for 35 years.
He was married in 1909 to Miss Lillian L. Dahlen, who came to Cooter from St. Louis. Mrs. Payne, who is vice-president of the Bank of Steele, has been an active associate with him in banking.
Only two other family connections survive: his sister-in-law, Miss Alma Dahlen, who is also an employee of the Bank of Steele and a sister by adoption, Mrs. Frank C. Coates of Coupville, Wash. After being apart many years, Mrs. Coates was able to make a visit with the Paynes last summer.
As head of the near $4,000,000 (assets) banking institution of Steele, he was well known in banking circles, piloting the bank through depression years and through the years of its growth from a small bank.
The Payne family was prominent in earlier years of Pemiscot County. His father, the late Louis P. Payne superintended the development of the Lake Farm and was active in the community at Cooter. They helped build the first Baptist Church in Cooter, contributing among other things to its music, a portable organ which was carried from the Payne home to the church for services.
Mr. Payne enjoyed fine horses and later his automobiles. There was keen and mutual delight in associations with many early residents and old friends. Through many services, the Paynes have been helpful to several generations.
Funeral services were held from the Baptist Church in Steele Thursday at 2 p.m. conducted by the pastor, the Rev. Howard Hamrick, assisted by the Rev. Marvin Niblack, pastor of the Methodist Church.
The Paynes have been substantial in the support of both the Baptist and Methodist Churches in Steele.
Burial was in the Mount Zion Cemetery with the German Funeral Home of Steele in charge of arrangements.
Active pallbearers were younger friends and banking associates: Murlon Utley, Willie D. McDaniel, Jerry Franklin, Ralph Ketchum, John Van Ausdall, Jr., Bobby Randolph, Willis Kaiser and Wade Hollenbeck.
The Steele Enterprise, Steele, Missouri
Thursday, December 28, 1972: Mrs. Lillian D. Payne, who was until her retirement July 10, 1971, president of the Bank of Steele, died December 20, 1972, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Payne had served 48 years with the Bank of Steele. Prior to coming to Steele in 1923, she and her husband, the late P.S. Payne, were at the Bank of Cooter for about ten years.
Lillian Dahlen Payne was born in St. Louis. She came to Cooter as a bride and lived in this area the rest of her life before going to a nursing home in St. Louis a few months ago.
Mrs. Payne was a member of the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Steele and also contributed financially to other churches in the area.
She was proud of the fact that she rose from a $25 a month bank employee to the position of president. She was particularly proud that she and Mr. Payne were able to keep the Bank of Steele open while other banks were forced to close during the depression.
Lillian L. Dahlen was married in 1909 to Purlie S. Payne. The Payne family was prominent in earlier years of Pemiscot County when Mr. Payne's father, the late Louis P. Payne, superintended the development of the Lake Farm and was active in the Cooter community. The Paynes helped build the First Baptist Church in Cooter. Mr. Purlie Payne was the first mayor of Cooter and cashier of the Bank of Cooter when it was organized about 1907. He came to Steele to be president of the Bank of Steele in 1923, a position he held until his death 35 years later on February 25, 1958.
At the time of her retirement Mrs. Payne announced that she had established a trust fund to provide full scholarships for students from the Steele, Cooter, and Holland area.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 23, 1972 at 11;00 a.m. at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Steele, with the Rev. Claude Stone, Jr., and the Rev. A.A. Noggle officiating. Burial was at Mount Zion Cemetery. German-Aumon Fuenral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers were Dalma Reid, Pinnell Capehart, Milt Branum, Gus Cooper, Dr. J.W. Bernard and Robert Rainesberger.
Contributed on 2/11/16 by ttack37
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Record #: 787035