Bobby Lee Payne, 80, of Sequatchie went to his Heavenly Home on Tuesday, July 30. He was born on July 11, 1944, in Palmer, TN. He was of Baptist faith and preached God’s word for over thirty-two years. He was Honorably discharged from the United States Navy in July 1965. Bobby loved sports and never missed a Braves game. He always supported the Tennessee Volunteers. He enjoyed preaching, gardening, hunting and his family.
Bobby is preceded in death by his father, Jerome Franklin Payne; mother, Lemma Lee Nunley Payne; sisters, Amelia Magouirk, Betty Jean Payne and brother J. L. Payne.
He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Betty Jean Fults Payne; daughters, Ginger Lee Payne of Monteagle, TN, Dana DeLee Payne (Rusty) Mobley of Rock Springs, GA; son, Bobby Lee (Elizabeth) Payne, II of Red Bank, TN; he was blessed with eight grandchildren, Whitney (Matthew) Smith, Tyler (Erica) Sweeton, Trinity (Adam) Swanger, Braeden (Kayla) Payne, Haley (Logan Jones) Gray, Carley (A.J.) Buck, Destiny (Avery) Brown, Ryley (Jacob Bond) Mobley; eleven great grandchildren, Isaiah and Tallulah Smith, Kylie Grace and Sadie Michelle, Adan and Thorin Swanger, Theo, Lorraine and Jewel Sweeton and Lilliana and Milo Payne.
Visitation is Saturday, August 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper. Funeral services began at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Tate Funeral Home in Jasper with Pastor Eddie Meeks and Preacher Johnathan Layne officiating. Bobby was laid to rest at Burns Cemetery in Sequatchie, TN immediately following the funeral service.
Sequatchie Valley Honor Guard gave Military Honors during the funeral service. Pallbearers are George Alder, Leonard Fults, Jr., Randy Stiefel, Jonathan Jernigan, Jerry Bradley and Frances “Bear” Wynn. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Tate Funeral Home, LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, TN (423) 942-9500. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tatefh.com.
