Brent Caton Payne

Brent Caton Payne, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on September 22, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born on November 2, 1943 in Warrenton, VA. Born to Howard L. Caton and Jane Bennett Caton, Brent grew up in Culpeper County alongside her sister, Jane “Penny” Childress, who proceeded her in death. She attended Culpeper County High School and later graduated from Smith Dale Massey Business College with a degree in business. Brent began her career in Richmond, Virginia, working in the insurance industry before returning home to Culpeper. With the support and guidance of Eddy and Betty Adair of Clement Insurance Agency – who became like second family – she was awarded a scholarship to attend Oberlin College in Ohio, where she earned her license as an insurance agent. After birth of her first son, Brent chose to step away from insurance to focus on her family. In time, she joined her husband, Darrell L. Payne, in operating C&P Video and later other businesses. Together, they built a life full of hard work, adventure, and love. Brent will be remembered for her zest for life. In her younger years, she and Darrell enjoyed camping and weekends on the lake with their boys. She was a fierce competitor, from playing USTA tennis and fox hunting with the Rappahannock Hunt Club, to riding in the show ring – where she loved competing with her favorite horse, “Starboard Tack”. Darrell also introduced her to motorbike racing, and she fearlessly lined up in P.D. Waugh’s race, pigtails flying, as the only girl among the boys. Later in life, she found joy and peace near the water, whether at Smith Mountain Lake or Marathon Key, Florida. But above all of the adventure and competition, Brent’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. Brent treasured her family. She is survived by her devoted husband, Darrell of 53 years; her sons and their wives, Britton (Liza), Brandon (Katherine), and Bryan; her cherished grandchildren: Noah, Caton, Zachary, and Cooper Payne, Maddie, and Blake Settle. Services are private. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Brent’s honor to Hospice of the Piedmont at https://hopva.org or the Benjamin Hugh Ryan Foundation at https://bhrfoundation.com whose mission is focused on pediatric brain cancer.

Brent Caton Payne

November 2, 1943 - September 22, 2025