Robert J Payne

Robert Jonathan Payne (Jon) was born to the late Ruth Fowler Payne and the late Ralph L. Payne who lived most of their lives and reared their family on South Main Street, Anderson, SC. Jon was the sixth child out of eight siblings: Ralph L. (Peggy) Payne-both deceased, Leora Payne (Ab-deceased) Ulloa of FL, Rev. James C. (Linda) Payne of Iva SC, David S. (Judy) Payne of Anderson SC, Elizabeth Payne (Jim deceased) Harbin of Charlotte NC, Martha Payne (Hal) Roberts of MI, and the late Phillip P. Payne (Mary Payne Harris) of Charlotte, NC. Jon was blessed with many nephews & nieces, and great nephews & nieces.

He attended Southside Elementary School, McCants Junior High, and later graduated from TL Hanna High in Anderson, SC, He enjoyed playing bass horn/tuba in the high school marching band.

After high school graduation, Jon attended Bob Jones University (BJU) in Greenville, SC and majored in Practical Christian Training, which was put on hold when he was drafted into the US Army and was sent to Vietnam. When he was discharged from the Army as a Sergeant, Jon returned to BJU and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion. While at BJU, he was a member of Epsilon Zeta Chi literary society and played soccer for the society team. After graduation, Jon helped found a youth soccer league in Greenville, SC.

Because of his great love for children and desire to win them to Christ, he worked with a Bus Ministry, Children’s Church and led Children’s Bible Clubs. He was a ventriloquist with his puppet “Charlie the church mouse” and used flannel graph to teach various Bible stories and verses. He was also an avid reader.

At age 36, he went back through Basic Training where the young guys called him “Pappy”. During this stint, he was sent to Turkey.

After his military service, Jon returned to Greenville, SC where he had a thriving delivery business that serviced the local Greenville and Anderson areas. Later, he moved to Baltimore, MD where he completed additional education courses with the Child Evangelism Institute.

Jon became a disabled Veteran due to his service in the Army where he spent his last years at his home in Taylors, SC.

Jon will be buried with honors at the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery located at 140 Inway Drive in Anderson SC.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM, on November 19, 2024.