Jim Payne

Jim Payne, 74, a resident of Jackson died on the 29th of August. Jim was born in Newton, MS on the 7th of April 1941 and attended Newton High School where he lettered in track and football. Jim served in the Army National Guard before attending USM where he received his bachelor’s degree in business management in 1964. During college, he was elected vice-president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After USM, he gained valuable experience from Proctor & Gamble. Jim received his MBA from Mississippi College and eventually went on to form UAD Laboratories where he served as President and CEO until its merger with Forest Laboratories in 1989.

Jim is survived by his two children April Payne Nall and Jonathan Payne, April’s spouse Kevin Nall and their children Caroline, Will, and Cate Nall, Jonathan’s spouse America Payne and their children Austin and Ana Sophia Payne, his brother Larry and Liz Payne and their children and grandchildren. Jim was preceded by his daughter Gina Jolie Payne who passed in September 2011.

Jim had many crowning achievements in his lifetime, some of which are being elected to the Mississippi Business of Fame, the USM Alumni Hall of Fame but he was most proud of his philanthropic endeavors, providing scholarships at the high school and collegiate level. Through his dedication at Southern Mississippi the Payne Center was named after Jim and his brother Larry. Jim sat on the Board of Directors of the Andrew Jackson Boy Scouts Council, Millsaps College, Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Mississippi among many others.

Jim’s funeral services will be held at Parkway Funeral Home this Wednesday with visitation starting at 10 AM with the service to follow at 11 AM and burial to follow at Shelton Cemetery in Pattison, MS at 4 PM where his mother Ada Pearl Starnes is interred.

Jim had a positive impact on many people’s lives and will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.

Memorials may be made to Pear Orchid Presbyterian Church.