The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Our Dad, Joseph Daniel Payne, Sr. died on May 24, 2023. Joe Payne believed in honesty, hard work, loving his family and following God’s Word and he lived it. He was the son of Oscar F. and Alva Myrel Payne. He was born in Jacksonville, Texas on November 16, 1933. At age 6 Joe began what was the start of a successful career in sales. Wanting to help his family, Joe went to the local candy factory where he bought the cut-off corners from their candied peanut patties. He brought the candy, along with pencils and note pads to the Jacksonville train station and sold his wares to passengers. Joe had a memory for numbers. He could remember exactly how much the candy, pencils and notebooks cost and what profit he made.

Joe Payne was a salesman and a great one. He owned and operated Payne Motors on Simmons Drive and was later the New Car Manager at Harmon Chevrolet. When he lived in Georgetown, Texas, he was in the top-sales tier year after year at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick. Joe had many repeat customers because they knew he was honest, and they knew he cared about them. He loved selling cars and talking with friends and making new acquaintances. That love kept him going to the office at Harmon Enterprises every day until two years ago when his health began to fail.

Joe and his wife Dee were married for 70 years. They met at Lutcher Stark High School. He was the motorcycle guy in a leather jacket. And she was the girl who was caught sliding down the school fire escape slide. They were made for each other. For many years Joe and Dee were avid golfers. There were usually sets of clubs and golf shoes in the trunks of their cars ready for the next game. They loved playing and spending time together on the course.

Joe and Dee have four children. He never failed to tell each one, “Hey kid, I love you and I’m proud of you.” Joe adored his seven grandchildren. He and Dee now have 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his ray of sunshine, granddaughter Bliss Payne, and by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Pat Payne. He is survived by his wife Dee and his sister Shirley Owens, his daughters Kristin and her husband, Jimmy McWilliams; Lynn and her husband Steve Bittinger and his sons Daniel and his wife Jeanne and Jon and his wife Leah. Grandchildren are Alan and Dondi Cherry, Jason and Felicia Green, Kimberly Tidwell, Alicia Green, Alex Payne and Emily Varnell, and Dakota and Kristal Payne. Joe was fond of his nieces Cheryl Bowie, Rhonda Shaffer, Valerie Loewer, Joanna Hambrick, and nephew Mike Payne.

Ninth and Elm Church of Christ was his church family. He felt honored to have served as an elder there for over 20 years. Many sought his counsel because of his kind and thoughtful demeanor. A memorial service will be held there on Saturday, June 17 at 1 o’clock. The Payne family is thankful for the staff at Harbor Hospice for caring for Joe in his last days, especially Dr. Lavalais. Our hearts are heavy because he is gone, but joyful in knowing Our Dad is with Christ.