Blake Allen Payne

Blake Allen Payne, 29, passed away July 20, 2019 in a tragic automobile accident alongside his fiancé, Alexa Montez. He was born March 20, 1990 in Victoria to Ronnie and Becky Payne. Blake played baseball for Memorial High School and graduated in 2008. He was awarded a baseball scholarship and played for Seminole State College for two years, and then continued playing on scholarship for the University of Central Arkansas. Blake also played on the inaugural Victoria Generals team for two years. He graduated with a BBA in Accounting in 2013 and shortly after earned the title of Certified Public Accountant. After graduation, he went to work for Landmark PLC in Little Rock. He was an Audit Manager and had worked with the firm for six years. He loved sports, especially the Boston Red Sox. Blake’s favorite times were spent with family and friends.

Blake was engaged to the love of his life, Alexa, and they were to be married on December 14, 2019.

Survivors include his parents, Ronnie and Becky Kalinowski Payne of Victoria; his brother, Colin Payne of Fort Worth; his grandmother, Jean Ann Payne of Victoria and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by quintuplet siblings, Clayton Robert, Thomas Harrison, Philip Martyn, Ronnie Lee Jr. and Grace Aleen Payne; and his grandparents, Lee Payne, Robert (Bob) and Grace Aleen Scherer Kalinowski.

A joint memorial service celebrating Blake and Alexa’s lives was held at 1 pm Saturday, July 27, 2019 at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Little Rock, under the direction of Roller-Chenal Funeral Home.

Visitation for Blake will be from 5:30-7 pm Monday, July 29, 2019 at Rosewood Funeral Chapels in Victoria, Texas. A Rosary will be recited at 7 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at 2 pm at Holy Family Catholic Church. The burial will be private.

Honorary pallbearers will be cousins and former teammates.

Memorials may be made to the University of Central Arkansas Foundation Landmark/ Blake Payne Scholarship Fund, 201 Donaghey, Box 4986, Conway, Arkansas 72035.

Share condolences at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.

“I’ve been here for 31 years and Blake was one of the sharpest young men that has ever worked for me.” Blake’s boss

ALEXA WARD MONTEZ

Alexa Ward Montez, 29, of Little Rock, Arkansas, together with her fiancé and love of her life, Blake Allen Payne, joined the Lord early Saturday morning. Alexa and Blake met and fell in love in the summer of 2015. They became engaged in March 2019 and were to be married in front of God and loved ones in December of this year. Their life together was full of love and shared dedication to baseball, faith, family, and their beloved dog, Don Carlos.

Alexa is survived by her parents, Kimberley Wier Montez and Alex Foster Montez; sister, Maura Foster Montez; brother, Stuart Foster Montez, and nephew, Ezequiel Castillo Montez. She is preceded in death by grandparents, Jarvis Jean Montez and Alejandro Franco Montez, and Dan Stuart Wier and Daphne Thornton Wier.

Alexa was born January 16, 1990 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 2008 and went on to attend the University of Arkansas where she was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

Alexa worked with the Fuqua Campbell Law Firm for almost seven years–or, more accurately, “the law firm worked for her! She truly was the heart and soul of the firm,” says Phil Campbell. Her knowledge and expertise in litigation were second to none. Alexa lived by her mantra that “teamwork makes the dream work.” She was loyal to and appreciated and loved by the entire firm.

She was in every way the light that guided everyone to a better place. This was evident early in her life and was why her grandfather Montez nicknamed her “Sparkle.” She was a light in the lives of everyone she touched and we are all extremely blessed to have had her in ours.

Alexa will be remembered by all who knew her for her incredibly vibrant spirit. She met the joys and challenges of life with strength and enthusiasm. Alexa’s energy transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, celebrating everything from the day-to-day to life’s biggest moments. She lived her life with laughter, conviction, contagious enthusiasm and love. Alexa was deeply passionate about working with children at the Miracle League of Arkansas, working as a baseball coach, coordinator, fundraiser, and unofficial cheerleader. Above all, she was deeply passionate about her friends and family and loved them fully and generously.

A memorial service was held for Alexa Montez and Blake Payne at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 8300 Kanis Road in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Saturday, July 27th at 1:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the Miracle League of Arkansas: wwwmiracleleaguear.com.