John Greenwood Payne

John Greenwood Payne, D.D.S., entered the Kingdom of Heaven on January 10, 2021, at the age of 91. He was predeceased by his parents John Davis Payne and Mary Geiger Payne, both of whom were also dentists, and by his brother Lawrence Payne. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, the love of his life and former childhood sweetheart, Georgeanna White Payne; his sister Mary Margaret Payne Young; his children Laurie Payne Nicholson (Alex), Susanna Payne Guyor (Glen), Joel Hill (Terrie), and Ronald Walton (Joanne); and grandchildren Katie Nicholson, David Hill, Alden Curtis and Edie High.

John was born and raised in Nashville and attended Turner School, Robertson Academy and Burton School. He graduated from Columbia Military Academy where he was cadet adjutant; Vanderbilt University where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity; and the University of Tennessee Dental College. He was a Captain in the U. S. Army Dental Corps and served in private dental practice in Nashville for 40 years, initially working with his father. John served as president of the Nashville Dental Society, the Greater Nashville Dental Study Group, the Middle Tennessee Implantology Group, and the Society for the Preservation of Oral Health. He was also a member of the Tennessee State Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Southern Academy of Periodontology, and the Academy of General Dentistry. John was an avid boater and model railroader. In his final years he was an enthusiastic member of the Saint Thomas Rehabilitation Group, which he credited with extending his life through wonderful friendships. He was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church.

John was impatient, but he exhibited love, peace, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. He was a gifted storyteller and jokester, a strength that served him well in his career as a dentist (with a name that sounds like "Pain"). He will be missed greatly by family and friends, but the memory of his spirit will comfort them always.

A private memorial service for his family will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Donations in John's memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 (in support of housing for families of fallen first responders and veterans) or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516, or to a charity of your choice.