Jerry Lee Payne

He graduated from Zachary High School and started his long career in the plumbing trade soon afterwards. In 1974 he and his wife started Central Plumbing Company and in 1981 Central Plumb It Yourself. in 1993 he was awarded the National Plumbing Contractor of the Year by the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC). He was an innovator, teacher and advocate for the plumbing industry. He founded the first nonunion plumbing school in the state and served as director for many years. He implemented continued education for plumbers and taught classes across the state. He served as President of the LAPHCC and as a national officer. He also served on the LA State Plumbing Board.

Jerry had a great love of flying and was a licensed private pilot. He flew many sick patients to hospitals via Angel Flights. He coached many CAYL football, baseball, softball and track teams, worked with the Boy Scouts, was one of the first members of the Central Volunteer Fire Department and held several offices with them. Jerry loved adventures. He wanted to see as much of this world as possible. Many of those adventures were taken in a RV with his family where they traveled to almost every state in the country and every SEC stadium. He also had the opportunity to travel to many other countries with his wife. Jerry loved fast cars, race tracks, boating, and most of all LSU Football and baseball. He wore purple and gold almost daily. He had the opportunity to watch LSU win the last three football National Championships, every SEC championship, and was in Omaha for four of LSU’s baseball championships.

Jerry met the love of his life, Bennie Taylor Payne in High School. They were married for 57 years, had 2 sons and 1 daughter. They have 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Jerry loved the Lord and shared his beliefs through actions and words. He worked in many capacities in building, teaching, driving the bus or whatever was needed of him and went on numerous mission trips.

Jerry is survived by his wife Bennie (Taylor) Payne. Children, Jay Payne and wife Lisa of Central, LA, Dirk Payne and wife Dianna of Greenwell Springs, LA, Tisa (Payne) Graves and husband Matthew of Bossier City, LA. Grandchildren Zachary Payne (Delaina), Cody Payne (Emily), Landon Payne, Sunshine Payne, Kyler Graves, Kaden Graves and Jack Graves. Great Grandchildren Princess Jamisyn Payne and Princess Rilynn Payne. Siblings Holly Cone, Ida Mae Davis (Marlon), Winnie Landry and Mike Payne (Nancy) and Sisters in Law Nora Payne & Diane Payne.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Ferd and Ida Payne, brothers, Ferdie, Clyde (Bo) and Tommy Payne.

Visitation will be Sunday 5:00-8:00 pm and Monday 9:00-11:00 am at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church. Service will be at 11:00 with graveside service immediately afterwards. Service will be led by Rev Lane Payne, Rev Andy Stafford and Rev Brian Robertson.

Pallbearers are Zachary Payne, Cody Payne, Landon Payne, Sunshine Payne, Kyler Graves, Kaden Graves, Jack Graves, Roger Launey and Jim Little.

The family requests that you wear purple and gold to the Church.