Paul Payne

Mr. Lowell Paul Payne, better known as “Paul”, aged 85 of the Forge Creek Community passed away Saturday, May 6, at his home.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church with preachers Sam Icenhour and Mike McNutt officiating.  A military graveside service accorded by the Johnson County Honor Guard will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 pm at the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, one hour prior to the funeral service.

Paul was born in the beautiful mountains of northeast Tennessee, at the head of Forge Creek Road, better known as the Payne’s Gap, to the late Roy and Hettie Curd Payne. In addition to his parents Mr. Payne was preceded in death by his brothers, Glynn Payne and Earl Payne.  A sister, Irene Richardson. And one niece Elaine Mazanet.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Ima Jean. One son, Mike Payne (Renae) and one daughter Theresa Johnson (Ronnie) of the Forge Creek Community. 3 grandchildren, Michael Payne (Alexandra) of Johnson City.  Wesley Payne (Casey) of Mountain City and Miranda Tester (Sam) of Mountain City. 5 great grandchildren, Andrea Payne (Michael), Westin Payne, MadiJean Payne, Willow Payne (Wesley) and Charlotte Tester (Miranda). Several nieces and nephews also survived.

Paul was born in Johnson County, TN and after graduating from high school, he did like so many others at that time, and moved north to find work. He got a job working at the General Motors Plant in Wilmington, Delaware.  He married the love of his life, Ima Jean Carpenter in 1957.

He was drafted into the Army in 1959, Where he spent 17 months in Korea.  His job was to drive a Colonel around and keep him in line.  My, what stories he would tell about his and the Colonel’s adventures.

In 1961 he returned to Delaware with Ima Jean. Where theyremained until 1968 when he packed his wife and 2 children up and moved back to the beautiful mountains of Forge Creek, TN. He joined the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church where he remaineda member until his death.

Paul worked as a supervisor at the Burlington Plant in Mountain City for 20 years before starting a cleaning service.  He and Ima Jean steamed clean everything from a small car to a tractor and trailer.  From a house to a large business.  During his cleaning days he met a lot of wonderful people.

After a terrible fall in 2005, Paul was slowed down, but not stopped.  He often went to the Senior Citizens Center where he loved to play pool and bingo with his friends. He was known as Poppy to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. And will be forever missed by all.

The Pallbearers are Michael Payne, Wesley Payne, Sam Tester, Ronnie Johnson, Roger Carpenter Jr., Mark Miller, and Scott Miller. Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Men’s Sunday School Class of Nelson Chapel Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.huxlipfordfh.com

Hux & Lipford Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Payne family.