James Wesley Payne, Sr., age 85, died Thursday, July 15 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, N.C. He was born June 8, 1925 in Talladega County to the late Nobie and Beadie Gardener Payne. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 18 at Corinth Baptist Church with the Rev. Brent Farmer presiding.

Mr. Payne is survived by his wife, Dorothy E. Payne; his son, James W. Payne, Jr. and wife, Linda of Franklinton, N.C.; his daughter, Rhonda P. Bracknell and husband, Chris of Cripple Creek, Va.; his granddaughter, Karissa B. Sluss and husband, Sammy of Garner, N.C.; his brother, William D. “Sonny” Payne and wife, Mary, of Columbiana; sisters, Elaine Tidwell and husband Leon, of Oneonta and Dorsey Cates of Thorsby; Velera Payne of Oneonta; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister, Avis and brothers, W. F. Payne and Calbert Payne.