Johnny Earl Payne

Mr. Payne was born on May 18, 1938 In Cartersville, GA son of the late Clarence Payne and Eunav Painter Payne.

Mr. Payne was a beloved life-long firefighter. He began his career as a paid fireman in September of 1964 with Acworth District Fire Department which later became Cobb County Fire. After he retired from Cobb county in 1992, he then joined Bartow County Fire Department. He served as the former Bartow County EMA Director and also the past President of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs. He served his community as a Fire Investigator for Bartow County Fire and Emergency Services. He was a father, teacher and mentor to many firefighters in the state of Georgia. He is already so missed, but he will never be forgotten.

Mr. Payne is preceded in death by his loving wife wife of fifty-one years, Barbara C. Payne; brothers, Jerry Payne, Jim Payne and Bill Payne.

Survivors include his son, Keith Payne; daughter, Lori Payne; grandhchildren, Kyle Grier and Kaci Wingo; several great-grandchildren; brother, Jess Payne; sister, Joyce Flowers; several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 9th of January, 2021 in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the evening until eight on Friday, the 8th of January, 2021 and one hour prior to service time at Owen Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mr. Payne's honor to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation at www.gfbf.org or the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Home Foundation at www.georgiasheriffsyouthfoundation.org

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120 has charge of the arrangements.