As Southern Gospel grew, so did the Cathedrals. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, they had ascended to the pinnacle of Southern Gospel Music, winning practically all the awards the industry could bestow on them and reveling in the fans' response to their music. Glen himself took no less than 11 Singing News Fan Awards, most being the Favorite Lead Singer Award. He was also officially inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in 1997.

In mid-September 1999, Glen was diagnosed with liver cancer. He passed away at his home in Franklin, TN, on Friday afternoon, October 15th, at approximately 2:15 (CST), with his family at his bedside.

With Glen's passing from this world, an incident occurred that should uplift and encourage every Christian. Long-time Payne family friend and Nashville attorney Russ Farrar tells the story (with permission from Glen's family). "On that Friday afternoon, Glen was near the point of death from the liver cancer that had ravaged his body. Although not in any pain, he would kind of drift in and out as he lay in his bed. Sometime between 2:00 and 2:15 the family was gathered around Glen's bed and everyone there was singing Victory In Jesus.' Then the next song was What A Day That Will Be.' As the family was singing, on three occasions Glen said wow.' Then, as Van describes it, those standing near the head of the bed saw a flash of light much like a flashbulb going off on a camera and Glen peacefully took his last breath and made his way to his eternal home.

"I don't think there could have possibly been a better homecoming or one more well deserved."

It was a long road from Rockwall, TX, through the heights of the Southern Gospel Music industry, to his eternal reward - a road that passed through the likes of VO and Frank Stamps as well as Earl and Lily Fern Weatherford, a road traveled alongside good friends like George Younce. And, significantly, it was a path chosen and charted with a clear understanding that, successful or not in the eyes of the world, this was the path of obedience to his Savior. Amen.

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