10/02/2026
We’re heartbroken to tell you that Charles Edward Payne passed away on September 19.
Charles made the community more generous, more curious, more capable. He was a writer, poet, teacher, storyteller, mentor, and social artist. He was a big man with a booming deep voice and one of the best laughs that could fill up a room. The best smile in Wisconsin without a doubt. Somehow, none of that ever made him feel imposing. He made people feel safe by listening closely. Charles could always see something in you before you’d seen it. Then he helped you move toward that.
Charles did not want a funeral or traditional service, and his wife Liz has asked that, in lieu of flowers, cards, or gifts, anyone who wants to do something in his memory should consider donating to Arts + Literature Laboratory. Art Lit Lab was one of Charles’ places, where he learned, taught, read, curated, and where he made the community better. At Liz’s request, these gifts will support a special fund dedicated to making literary programming more accessible in Madison.
Liz and friends have built a website for Charles where you can read the story of his life and work. Through photographs you can witness the many communities he belonged to.
There will be a memorial gathering in spring 2027, with more information to come. For now, if you knew Charles, tell somebody a Charles story. Write it down. There are people who take up a lot of space in this world. Charles had the rarer gift of making more space around everyone else, and we will miss him very much.
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