Franklin Deleon Payne

Rayle:Retired Corporal Franklin DeLeon Payne, 80, of Martin Echols Rd., died Saturday evening at his home surrounded by family. Mr. Payne was born in Stephens County, Ga., and had lived in Wilkes County for 53 years.He was the son of the late Charles H. and Ouida McFarland Payne.He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1955, and graduated from Augusta College with a degree in Criminal Justice in 1974. He became a State Trooper in 1964, retired in 1992, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.He was a Mason, a member of the American Association of State Troopers, and attended Victory Baptist Church.He remained a member of the Tom’s Creek Baptist Church in Carnesville.He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty P. Love, and by four brothers, Howard Payne, Hershel Payne, Edwin Payne, and Ewell Payne. Mr. Payne is survived by his wife, Eva Stewart Payne, of the home; one daughter, Lynn P. Rounds (Chris), and grandchildren Raegan and Colton Bentley, of Washington; one step-son, Stewart Anderson, of Madison, and step-grandchildren, Morgan, McKenzie, and Makayla Anderson, of Stapleton; one brother, Dessau Payne, of Falls Church, Va.; one sister, Carolyn P. Day, of Arlington, Va.; and by numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, December 3, 2017, at the Victory Baptist Church with Pastor Jimmy Chapman officiating.Inurnment will follow at the Washington-Wilkes Memorial Gardens, where Hospice Chaplain Benson Bottoms will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be the following retired Georgia State Troopers:Ed George, Jerry Walker, Linton Scott, David Hunt, Ernest Dial, Jesse Moore, Joe Kiser, Melvin Tucker, and Ernest Kendrick. Visitation will be Saturday from 7:00pm-10:00pm at the Victory Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Washington. Memorial contributions may be made to the Victory Baptist Church Missions, P.O. Box 710, Washington, Ga 30673.