Mr. Joe Stewart Payne, Sr. of Jefferson, formerly of Hartwell, died at home while under hospice care on March 15, 2022.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Mr. Payne was born at home on August 27, 1937, in the Bio community of Hartwell. He was the youngest of eight children born to the late David Lumpkin Payne, Sr. and Flora Rachel White Payne of Hartwell. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1960 from the University of Georgia and remained a dedicated UGA football fan throughout his lifetime.Mr. Payne was employed with the DeKalb County Health Department Division of Environmental Health for 33 years before retiring from the position of Supervising Sanitarian.

After retirement, he and his deceased wife of 49 years, Emily Mitchell Payne, relocated to Lavonia where he was employed as the Building Superintendent for Lavonia First Baptist Church, was instrumental in the Church's growth, as well as served faithfully as an active member for 10 years before relocation to Jefferson. In Jefferson, Mr. Payne was a member of Jefferson First Baptist Church and an active member of the Northminster Estates community.

Mr. Payne is survived by wife: Betsy Hunt Payne of Jefferson; daughter: Marilyn Payne Smith of Chattanooga; son: Joe Stewart Payne, Jr. of Atlanta; and grandchildren: Ashley Renee Payne of Decatur and Christian Summer Smith, Hunter Robin Smith, and Nicholas Sean Smith of Chattanooga; twenty nieces and nephews also survive.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Lavonia First Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Chitwood and Dr. Larry Finger officiating with music by Rev. Richard Dickson. Interment will follow at Lavonia City Cemetery. The family receive friends at the church Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the service.

Flowers are optional or memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at hhtps://act.alz.com

Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest register and leave personal condolences to the family, please visit stricklandfh.com.