Don was born in South Pittsburg, Tennessee on August 16, 1921 to the late Harvey and Vera Payne. He attended South Pittsburg High School and played on the 1941 Tennessee Valley Conference Football Championship team. Following graduation, he joined the U.S Army where he served in the Army Corps of Engineers for 22 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant. His assignments included many stateside and overseas posts. While in England, he met and married Jill Hemington – his bride of 57 years. After his retirement from the Army, Don went to work at the TNT plant (VAAP/ICI America) as a Safety Engineer for 20 years.
He was a member of Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Gardening was his hobby and he loved to share the fruits of his labor.
Preceding him in death were wife - Jill and brother – John William Payne.
Survivors include son, Donald (Mitzi) Payne, Jr.; daughter, Sally (Randy) Forrester, and son, Robert (Melinda) Payne;
grandchildren – Chris (Marshiela) Payne, Steven (Elizabeth) Forrester, Andrew Forrester, Alison (Davey) Smith, Tyler and Megan Payne, Brent, Scott and Savannah Payne; as well as 9 great grandchildren; brother – Jerry Payne; sister, Sara Vinson; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday February 21st from 4 pm to 9 pm at Chattanooga Funeral Home on East Brainerd Road and one hour prior to the service which will be held Monday February 22 at 11:00 am in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Cliff Hudson and Rev. James Patterson officiating. Interment will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416 – the most kind, compassionate and loving staff.
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
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