Rayge Blaton Payne

Rayge Blaton Payne, Retired CPO, age 83, of Cornelia, Georgia, died Thursday, June 18, 2009 at a private care facility. Mr. Payne was born on February 3, 1926 in Cornelia, Georgia to the late Lemuel U. and Tressie Morris Payne. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Altia Gibson and Montine Chambers, as well as brothers, Bunyon and Charles Payne. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Mr. Payne was retired from the United States Navy after serving faithfully for 24 years in active service, including World War II, and 6 years in the reserves. He earned numerous medals and earned rank of Chief Petty Officer. Survivors include: his wife: Doris Suggs Payne, Cornelia, GA; his daughter and son-in-law: Rosemary and Wayne Dail, Commerce, GA; his sons and daughters-in-law: Dale and Debbie Payne, Goose Creek, SC; Ralph and Robin Payne, Winston, GA; his step-daughter and her husband: Elaine and James Simmons, Cornelia, GA; his sisters: Bonnie Loggins, Cleveland, GA; Sarah Anspach, Cornelia, GA; Pashie Towery, Clarkesville, GA; Mary Lomax, Alto, GA; 7 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2009 from the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia with Rev. Paul Morris and Rev. Lloyd Free officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Kerry Payne officiating at the graveside. The family will receive friends at the South Chapel from 2 until 4 and 7 until 9 p.m. on Friday. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 1294 Pea Ridge Road, Cornelia, GA 30531 Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.