‘Pop’ Payne

DEMOREST – William Alvin “Pop” Payne, 79, died Thursday, February 12, 2009, at his residence following an extended illness.

Born in Habersham County on September 16, 1929, he was the son of the late Henry and Florence Parker Payne. He was employed by Mt. Vernon Mills and attended Mt. View Baptist Church. He was an avid racing fan, loved ones stated. Mr. Payne was preceded in death by his first wife, Hazel Payne; sons, Timothy Payne, Randy Yarber and Donald Yarber; brothers, John Henry Payne and Lincoln Payne; sister, Lola Mae Smith; great-grandchildren, MacKenzie Grindle, Brittany Williams and Carlton Williams.

Survivors include his wife, Florence Brock Yarber Payne, Baldwin; daughters and sons-in-law, Rachel and Wayne Sikes, Tampa, Fla., Deborah and Wayne Brown, Baldwin, and Wanda and Jimmy Crowe, Demorest; son and daughter-in-law, Mitchell and Donna Payne, Demorest; brother, James Payne, Baldwin; sisters, Betty Jean Goodson and Annie Bell Vester, both of Baldwin; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 15, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin Funeral Home with Pastor Donnie Ballenger, the Revs. Olivia Christopherson, James Harvey and Luther Williams officiating. Burial will be in Mt. View Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Pkwy., Suite 222, Gainesville, GA 30501.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.