Benjamin Franklin Payne, 63, of Tifton passed away Saturday, July 16, 2005, at Tift Regional Medical Center after a sudden illness. His funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2005, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. John S. Gibbs, Jr. officiating. Mr. Payne was laid to rest at Tift Memorial Gardens.
Born March 5, 1942, in Tifton, Mr. Payne was the son of the late William Franklin Payne and Mittie Baker Payne. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara West Payne and one brother. He was retired from Fletcher Oil Company; and he served two years in the United States Army; and for two years in the United States Navy. He was of the Baptist faith.
Mr. Payne is survived by two sons, Franklin Payne of Tifton and William Kay Payne of Virginia; one daughter, Faith Espudeno of Tifton; four brothers, Butch Payne, Bobby Joe Payne and Bruce Payne, all of Tifton and Bill Payne of Sylvester; two sisters, Barbara Hickey of Augusta and Betty Crumb of Valdosta; eleven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.