About Us

About Us

Previously, most visitations and services were historically conducted in a bereaved families own residence. H.D. Wellington was the 1st to be in business in1890 on the north side of the square, he had a funeral and furniture business and he was the funeral director and embalmer that Dexter William Payne originally worked for before the buyout in 1905. His sons were Philip Dexter and Wallace Neal Payne - they were licensed embalmers and funeral Directors and each received recognition from the Missouri Funeral Directors Association for Fifty years of Service.

Payne Funeral Chapel has been around for several generations serving their families in same compassionate manner at their time of need. First starting out at the turn of the century,around 1905, on the North side of the square in Memphis, being first run by two brothers, Wallace Neal and Philip Dexter Payne and then later by cousins, Philip E.and Richard N. Payne. It is the oldest established funeral home in Memphis and surrounding area of Scotland County.

In 1978 they had to relocate as the fire consumed the building they were in and totally destroyed their business. They merged with Gerths and shared that location for fifteen years before the partnership dissolved. Then in 1993 Paynes renovated the building on the Northeast corner of the square and made it in to the finest designed facility in the surrounding area, where it still is operating today.

In December of 2002 the business was sold to Chris and Ronnie Tinkle, longtime area residents of Memphis. We will continue to serve families with same respect today as they have been accustomed to in the past. We have capitalized on the facilities and have added the most modern conveniences to the business. Striving to leave the family with a peaceful setting, capitalizing on perfection, attending to every detail in personal natural state of appearance. We invite families in to discuss our innovative "personalized" services that focus on "celebrating life".

Because the purchase of a funeral, whether pre-need or at-need, has a crucial impact on families, our first priority, since 1905, has been to satisfy every family we serve. We've learned that families appreciate knowing about the most recent developments in funeral service, even if they eventually decide on a more traditional funeral service. Knowledgeable consumers make purchases they can always feel comforable with, thats what matters. Payne Funeral Chapel will remain committed to providing compassionate, professionalism, funeral service knowledge, and affordable pricing to families.

Know that in todays times, typically consumers shop before they purchase any services or goods of substantial cost. Because we respect this practice and the intelligence of the consumer, it is our policy to offer and disclose our most economical prices. Payne Funeral Chapel takes great pride in the quality service and merchandise offered. It is our policy to render the most professional service at the least amount of cost to the consumer.

If however, it can be documented that we are not the least expensive for equal quality goods and services (locally), we will match the "documented cost" as reflected on the competitors general, casket and outer container price lists or a documented estimate.