Cynthia Payne Lanham, 82, of Owensboro, KY, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by
family on December 8, 2025, after living with the effects of a debilitating stroke suffered in 2022. She was
born on October 28, 1943, in Knottsville, KY, to the late Owen and Virginia (Roberts) Payne.
Cynthia lived her life with grace, resilience, and steadfast faith. She was devoted to her family and
treasured being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother above all else. Cynthia was an excellent
cook, an avid reader, and had an enviable green thumb, tending to flowers and plants both indoors and
out. She always found time to volunteer in her community, at her church, and in her children’s schools
and activities. She was unassuming, gentle, and kind, consistently placing the needs of others before her
own.
Cynthia is survived by her husband of 63 years, Gene Lanham; and their five children, Lisa Lanham and
Renetta (Jimmy) Sanders, of Owensboro; Ted (Jessica) Lanham, of Hilton Head, SC; Cindy (John David)
Herald, of Franklin, TN; and Joy (Stephen) Buchenberger, of Louisville, KY. She was also a doting
grandmother to Michael (Whitney) Lanham, Chelsea Powers, Miles, Molly, and Brody Lanham, Henry
and Arlo Buchenberger; Lucy Herald; and her step-grandchildren Josie and Ryan Lockwood. She had the
joy of meeting her first great-grandchild Ruby Lanham, who was born nine months before her passing.
Cynthia will also be deeply missed by her siblings, Mary Donna Aull, Bob Payne, Bonnie Lanham, and
Dave Payne.
In addition to her parents, Cynthia was preceded in death by her son, Joseph “Joey” Lanham; daughter,
Genetta Lanham; and by her siblings, Gretta Payne, Cecil Payne, Jean Ann Ford, Grace Mattingly, and
Paula Payne.
The funeral service for Cynthia will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Glenn
Funeral Home and Crematory, officiated by Rev. Brad Whistle. Burial will follow at St. William
Cemetery in Knottsville. The family will receive visitors from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December
11, with prayers at 6:30 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday, December
12 at the funeral home.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Cynthia’s caregiver, Lisa Gerteisen, lovingly
referred to “Lisa G”, and also, to Hospice and her Hospice angels.
Memorial contributions for the family of Cynthia may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of
Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathen’s Crossing Owensboro, Kentucky 42301.
Memories and condolences for the family of Cynthia Lanham may be left at
www.glenncares.com.