Dr. Payne was born at Charleston on March 8, 1891. His father, Henry Clay Payne was a carpenter by trade and was one of the early graduates of Hampton Institute. The maiden name of Dr. Payne's mother was Susan James. Growing up in Charleston, young Payne pursued his elementary studies in the local public schools. When ready for college he matriculated at Howard University, and spent three years in the college course. Following that he took up dentistry at the same institution and won his D.D.S. degree in 1920. He was under the necessity of making his own way in college. He worked during the term about college and usually spent his summers on the lake steamers. In this way he was able to pursue his course to completion. His favorite form of college athletics was foot ball. He was in the S. A. T. C., but the war closed before he saw active Service.
Dr. Payne married on Sept. 22, 1919, Miss Emily C. Jones. Mrs. Payne is a native of Arm Arbor, Mich., where she was educated. She was, before her marriage, an accomplished teacher. On the completion of his course, Dr. Payne returned to Charleston, and began the practice. He maintains a modern well equipped office and operating room in the heart of the business section of the city.
In politics he is a Republican, he belongs to the Baptist church, and is a Mason. He is also a member of the State Medical and Dental Society and of the N. A. A. C. P. His favorite reading is history. He believes that the only way to insure the progress of the race is to raise the general education of the masses to a higher level.