Edward Gray Payne

Spartanburg, SC- Edward Gray Payne, 69, husband of Martha Ann Cronic Payne, died Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

Born July 10, 1951 in Winston-Salem, NC, Eddie was a son of the late Meredith and Rebecca Helsabeck Payne.

Eddie’s legacy as a coach, a son, a husband, a father, a friend, and as a man of faith will always remain as an inspiration to all who knew and loved him. Eddie demonstrated a naturally competitive and tenacious spirit early on as a basketball all-star at East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC, and then at Wake Forest University where he was a standout player, All-ACC 1st team in 1973, and earning both the team’s MVP and the prestigious Arnold Palmer Award, which is awarded to the school's Most Outstanding Student-Athlete. After graduating in 1973, he spent a year playing professionally in France, before beginning a 40-year career as a men’s basketball coach, a career that would span the country and include all five levels of collegiate basketball. From 1976 to 2017, Eddie had assistant coaching stints at Clemson, East Carolina, and South Carolina, and was head coach at Truett McConnell (1978-79), Belmont Abbey (1981-86), East Carolina (1991-1995), Oregon State (1995-2000), Greensboro (2000-2002), and finally USC Upstate. In his 15 seasons with USC Upstate, Eddie led the program’s transition from NCAA Division II competition to Division I, taking his teams to postseason tournaments four times in his last six seasons. He won the Peach Belt Coach of the Year in 2005, the Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year in 2012, and the coveted Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year, also in 2012. One of Eddie’s greatest joys at Upstate was the opportunity to coach his son, Luke, who after a standout college career played in Australia for four years. Eddie retired in 2017 with 484 wins as a head coach, and in 2018, through a partnership with their dear friend Dolores “Dodie Anderson, the basketball court at the USC-Upstate Hodge Center was named the Eddie and Ann Payne Arena to honor both his and Ann’s tremendous contributions to the University. 

Eddie’s professional success can be partially explained by his easy manner, his integrity, his love and care for his players, and his innate ability to relax and focus on matters outside the high stakes, pressurized world of college coaching. He always relished unwinding in the beautiful homes and gardens he created with Ann whom he married in 1981; he loved spending time with family and friends, traveling to concerts, watching the Braves, golfing, reading, and studying his Bible. He delighted in Ann’s excellent cooking and their Golden Retriever, Pearl. And he was particularly happy that he had opportunities to demonstrate through action and example his deep Christian faith--by serving as a Deacon and discipleship group leader at First Baptist Church Spartanburg and by volunteering with Celebrate Recovery at the Tyger River Correctional Facility. He cherished the opportunity to serve as a member of the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education as well as a board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

Those of us who knew Eddie are devastated that this time has been lost to him and us. We will miss him forever. But we take solace in knowing that Eddie for the time he had accomplished much, savored much, rejoiced in much, and loved us all. Trusting in God for all things and knowing all is well with his soul, we will remain infinitely grateful for the life and example of Edward Gray Payne.

In addition to his wife, Ann, Eddie is survived by his son, Luke Payne and his wife, Amanda; a grandson, Hudson Gray Payne; brothers, David Payne and his wife, Mary, and Steve Payne; two nieces, Jennifer Scott and her husband, Doug, and Kim Kaylor; and a nephew, David Payne and his wife, Kelly.

He was predeceased by a sister in-law, Susan Payne.

The family will receive friends Sunday, July 11^th, 1:30-2:45PM at First Baptist Church Spartanburg.

Funeral services will follow at 3:00PM officiated by Reverend Dr. Don Wilton and Reverend Sal Barone.

Burial will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

The family would like for Coach Payne’s former players and basketball associates to please notify a funeral home employee upon their arrival to the service. Designated seating will be provided for acknowledgement during services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Impact Sports International, P O Box 5765, Spartanburg, SC 29304; or to First Baptist Spartanburg, Celebrate Recovery, 250 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.