John "Sunshine Sonny" W. Payne

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Visitation Schedule
Public
St. Mary's Catholic Church
123 Columbia St.
Helena, AR  72342
Saturday, February 17, 2018
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Mary's Catholic Church
123 Columbia Street
Helena, AR  72342
Saturday, February 17, 2018
12:00 p.m.
Memorial Contributions
St Mary's Catholic Church
123 Columbia St
Helena, AR  72342


King Biscuit Blues Festival


St Mary Catholic Church
123 Columbia Street
Helena, AR  72342


King Biscuit Blues Festival
Po Box 118
Helena, AR  72342
I served in the Army.
John "Sunshine Sonny" W. PayneI am a Veteran.

of Helena, AR

February 10, 2018

John William ''Sunshine Sonny'' Payne, 92, of Helena, Arkansas passed away Saturday, February 10, 2018. Mr. Payne was born November 29, 1925 at Helena to the late William G. and Gladys Swope Payne. Sonny was best known as the long-time host of King Biscuit Time, the award-winning radio show which appealed to generations of blues fans and musicians. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena, the American Legion and was also in the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame.

Mr. Payne is survived by six nieces, Mary Gatewood, Pat Traicoff, Lynda ''Peachy'' Deisher , Glenn Edwards, Becky Wheeler and Anna Hook; three nephews, Nick Page, Leslie Vogel and Eugene ''Rusty'' Winfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Josephine Papa Payne; daughter, Cheryl Payne; three sisters, Rebecca Winfield, Elga Faye Vogel and Fosteen ''Teen'' Page.

Visitation for ''Sunshine Sonny'' Payne will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church beginning at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 17, 2018, followed by Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12:00 p.m. A private burial will follow services. Father Benoit Mukamba, CSSp, Father Gilbert Tairo, CSSp and Father James Ibeh, CSSp will officiate.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: St Mary's Catholic Church, 123 Columbia St, Helena, AR 72342 or the King Biscuit Blues Festival, P.O. Box 118, Helena, AR 72342.

Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Helena will direct (870) 572-2571.


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20 Condolence(s)
Rhonda Pattberg
Cheshire, CT
Liked
Wednesday, February 21, 2018

I only met Sonny once at the studio. It was so much fun! He had the guests sing Happy Birthday to me. I loved talking with him that day. I wish that I had lived closer to really get to know him. He was a dear and a hoot and a veritable encyclopedia of Delta Blues. RIP.

Chicago Charlie, Nan,; & Family
Spring Hill, TN
Liked
Friday, February 16, 2018

To a wonderful man, whom we called Father! We will miss you everyday! Until we meet again, please know how much we loved you!!! The Blues Community will never be the same with you not around physically! Spiritually you will always be our King Bee and Pops! Love, Chicago Charlie and Nan...,,,,,,,

Laurie Smith McLendon
Helena, AR
Liked
Wednesday, February 14, 2018

We all will miss Sonny and sweet charm and wonderful knowledge. Praying for his family always~
Laurie McLendon-Helena, AR

Miranda gregory
West Helena, AR
Liked
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

I will miss you Mr. Sonny, I have know you since I was a child at Kings for. On 49 across from you by Miller high school. Yes I will miss you, didn't know you well but you were always kind to me, THANK you for all you did for our town, of West Helena and Helena, Arkansas...rest in His Holy Hands for ever one of the best men I have ever known!

Liz and Juergen Lottmann
Bella Vista, AR
Liked
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Sonny gladdened our hearts every time we saw him. He opened his home to us, and gave us his friendship over many years. Sonny was generous in so many ways, with his time, his advice, and his ability to promote our music. We are so very grateful for the time we had with him. Sonny, it's King Biscuit Time in the hereafter. We will miss you every day.

BJ Allen
Kirksville, MO
Liked
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Sonny’s radio program has been instrumental in promoting blues music for decades. He was so kind to play our music... unknowns from Missouri, he helped spread the word and introduced us to a much wider audience than we could have ever reached on our own.

It was our great honor to be invited to perform live on Sonny’s radio program when we were in the Memphis area and we will always cherish the memories of that trip. He will remain an icon of the blues as his memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew and worked with him.

Thank you for sharing the music, sir, and your tireless commitment to the blues community. Rest in peace, dear Sonny... until we meet again on the other side.

BJ Allen and Blue Voodoo

Wayne and Robin James
West Helena, AR
Liked
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Mr. Sonny, you will be missed. I always looked forward to your smile and happy demeanor.

Nancy Howie
West Helena, AR
Liked
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

I had the privilege of working with Sonny Payne at KFFA some years ago, and I have to say, he was one of the nicest people I've ever known. He loved to talk about his younger days, his time in the army, his childhood, and I loved listening. He was a national treasure and he will surely be missed. My sincere condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Sonny.

Sam Cowling
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

One of my earliest musical memories listening to King Biscuit.
Thanks for turning me on to the wonderful sound of The Blues.

You will be missed...

Shirley Brister
Pangburn, AR
Liked
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Helena just lost it's greatest man. To me he was a friend. Sonny, You were loved, you'll be missed and never forgotten. Love Shirley

Jay Sheffield
Memphis, TN
Liked
Monday, February 12, 2018

Sonny Payne was a broadcast icon, and a legendary blues advocate; he loved, and was loved by, musicians and artists over seven decades, bust mostly, he was loved by his family and friends, among whom I was honored to be.
Helena and the entire blues world mourn the loss of our “Sunshine,” but it’s sure a lot brighter now in Heaven!
Sail on “Sunshine!”

Sisters Maria DeAngeli and Kimberly Prohaska, OSB
FORT SMITH, AR
Liked
Monday, February 12, 2018

To the family and friends of our beloved Mr. Sonny,

May your love for music live on in our memories! How happy heaven is to have you and for you to be reunited with Ms. Josephine!
We remember you fondly of our time with you in Helena.
Our Catholic Church, St. Mary's our visits with you for dinner at the Tea Den and to Katherine's on Moon Lake, in MS.
You are a treasure to our hearts! We wish you eternal peace Sonny! We will miss you dear friend...

David J Madlener
Chicago, IL
Liked
Sunday, February 11, 2018

Sonny was always generous with his time and forever humble. A true man of faith, he will be in heaven directly. His passion for the music is unmatched. His work ethic is from a time long in the past. His life was a lesson we could all learn something from. Thank You "Sunshine", job well done.

Greg Potts
Snellville, GA
Liked
Sunday, February 11, 2018

Good man. You will be missed.

Don and Crystal Eastman
West Helena, AR
Liked
Sunday, February 11, 2018

Our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Sonny. He was a long-time friend and advocate of Helena and will be missed by many far and wide. May his memory be eternal.

Jim Walker
conway, AR
Liked
Sunday, February 11, 2018

My thoughts and prayers are with you. We loved you Mr. Payne. Thanks for all you did for the Blues!!

Marla Mayer
Santa Monica, CA
Liked
Sunday, February 11, 2018

Sonny, you will be so missed by so many. The entire Mayer family has counted you as family for so many years - from my grandfather Clarence Mayer, to my dad Jim, to me and to my now 16 year old daughter Helena who interviewed you in middle school for her school paper in guitar class on blues great, Robert Johnson. We all will miss you! You were an amazing part of an amazing art form and the world will miss you!

Our love and condolences to all of Sonny's family and friends.

Visits to Helena won't be quite the same. And KFFA definitely is missing a key voice.

-Marla Mayer and Chris, Aidan and Helena Ahearn

Pat Williams
Helena, AR
Liked
Saturday, February 10, 2018

Sonny, I guess I've known you for 85 years and it's been a pleasure all those years. We'll all miss you.

JIM
baton rouge, LA
Liked
Saturday, February 10, 2018

Heaven got lucky having Sonny there to play the blues. Sonny was such a kind and friendly person when I met him in 1960's through out his life. I often sent him small gifts and notes and always got great replies. His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Jim, Diane, Marla, Caren& Adam Mayer

Jesse E Porter
West Helena, AR
Liked
Saturday, February 10, 2018

A deep loss to all that knew him personally and a loss to all who love Big Band and Blues music . He would be Mr. Sunshine even if his nickname wasn't "Sunshine: Sonny", for he always brought a smile and a good and positive word. He was a blessing in my life . Yoo many memories to miss him, for when he comes to my mind there will be so many happy memories I won't be sad long. Heavens Band just got sweeter.
Rusty Porter