Jimmy L. Payne

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Jimmy L. Payne on May 4, 2022 at Grand Strand Medical, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born on February 10, 1943 in Lexington, VA to Leo and Dorothy Payne. Jimmy lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives with his kindness and concern for everyone he met.

After graduating from James Madison High School in Vienna, VA in 1961, he attended Elon College and then went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force. Jimmy began a successful career in telecommunications receiving many awards. He was one of the top Phone Center Store Managers and when he was a National Sales Manager he was selected to represent AT&T at the 1987 TeleCom Show in Geneva, Switzerland. He retired from Lucent Technologies in 1998. He and his wife Jackie made their new home in Tidewater Plantation in North Myrtle Beach.

Upon his retirement Jimmy immersed himself in numerous part-time jobs and activities to always be around people. Jimmy never met a stranger and was known by his friends as the “Unofficial” Mayor of North Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed working at Heather Glen Golf Course as a Ranger as well as ushering at the Alabama Theater.

Jimmy took every opportunity to display his patriotism. In addition to volunteering many years at Tidewater for the Folds of Honor Program, he sponsored a WWII Vet in the Honor Flight Program. Recently he proudly accepted a quilt of valor for his service to his country.

Jimmy was an avid golfer and enjoyed being the coordinator for the Tidewater Travelers, a weekly traveling golf league. He participated in many charity golf tournaments and volunteered for the First Tee Organization. Other volunteer activities included serving as a Sports Ambassador for the NMB Park and Sports Complex, Helping Hands, and various Tidewater committees.

Jimmy had a lifelong interest in cars especially the Corvettes he had owned which led to his membership in the Myrtle Beach Corvette Club. Jimmy and Jackie shared so much and always enjoyed being together. They traveled extensively whether to far off destinations or to visit family and friends. Jimmy was a member of the Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church where he served as an usher. Jackie and Jimmy together had a special relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Dorothy and Jim Baird; father and stepmother, Leo and Aileen Payne; brother Larry, half-sister Brenda Lacy and niece Jennifer Lacy.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jackie; daughter Debbie Vanover; granddaughter Ashley Vanover; first wife Mary Ruth Cassady; sister-in-law Debbie Payne; sisters-in-law and spouses; Cindy and Forrest Wall, Debbie and Bobby Printz, Becky and Dickie Wisecarver; nieces Stephany, Megan (Brian), Whitney (Eric), Jamie (Anatoly) and Jackie; nephew Preston (Kristy); great nieces Alexis, Hadley, Parker, Chloe and Sophie; great nephews Will, Camden, Connor; and great great niece, Aubrynn.

Jimmy will forever be remembered as “Somebody who made everybody feel like Somebody”. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in North Myrtle Beach with reception to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leefhandcrematory.com for the Payne family. Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.