Dwaine B. Payne

Dwaine B. Payne, 69, a devoted husband, loving father, and grandfather, passed away on January 2, 2025, in Thibodaux, LA.  Dwaine was born in Wichita, Kansas, and moved to St. Tammany, LA. as a young child and lived on the Northshore for most of his life.  

Dwaine had a long and distinguished career of 32-years supporting the NASA Space Program as a welder with Lockheed Martin building the space shuttle’s external fuel tanks.  He was a skilled and accomplished welder throughout his career.  His excellence in service was highlighted when he received the “Silver Snoopy Award.”  This distinguished award is one that is carried during space travel and upon conclusion of the mission is presented by an astronaut to someone who demonstrated outstanding performance by contributing to flight safety and mission success.  Less than 1% of the Aerospace program receive this award.   

During his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and was an extremely talented carpenter.  His ability to build and fabricate created a generosity that always involved him building much needed items for others who needed something for their home, yards, or personal home workshop.  He would sacrifice his own time to ensure others had what they needed in their own homes.      

For most of his life, Dwaine was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed boating, camping, and especially hunting and fishing with his boys.  He raised his children to love the great outdoors, and that spirit will forever live within each of his children and grandchildren. 

Over the last few years he loved and cherished spending time in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with his wife Cindy and his beloved dog, Roxie.  He longed for the connection to the outdoors by enjoying scenic mountain views and wildlife encounters.     

Dwaine is preceded in death by his parents Lena Keaton Payne and Ernest Payne and his brother Paul Payne.  

He is survived by his loving wife Cindy Payne, his children, Kelly Payne Tranchina (Nick), Ricky Payne (Lauren), Scotty Payne (Sarah), Chris Payne (Elizabeth), and Stepsons Adam and Alex Tucker; Brother Roy and 10 Grandchildren and 3 Great-Grandchildren.  

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:30 AM with a Celebration of Life Service at 11:30 AM at Serenity Funeral Home Chapel, 20419 Hwy. 36 Covington, LA 70433. Pastor Lisa Mele will officiate. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home of Covington, LA.  

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