Mr. Clarence Payne Jr., 93, of Barbourville, passed away Tuesday evening, March 10, 2020 at the Barbourville ARH Hospital. He was the son of the late Clarence and Mary Bryant Payne born on February 6, 1927 at Artemus.
Clarence was a retired social worker in special education, of the Pentecostal faith and faithfully served his country in the Kentucky Army National Guard. He was a pilot and enjoyed flying and playing various musical instruments.
On August 30, 1952, he united in marriage with Jenople Smith and to this union two children were born.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline Burnett; in-laws, Sawyer and Laura Belle Smith and a special friend, J. W. Warren.
Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Jenople Payne of Barbourville; two children, Rev. Larry Payne and wife, Alaa, of Barbourville and Rev. Gary Payne and wife, Valerie of Roxana, IL; sisters-in-law, Sue Mills of Barbourville, who he thought of as a sister, and Mary Lou Smith of Grundy, VA; a brother-in-law, Merrill Smith and wife, Ruby, of Bardstown; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; special friends, Claude Jones, Joanne Shelton, Nannie Mae Smith, Georgia Miller, Earl and Karen Hammons, Jim Ballard, James S. Warren and a nephew, the Hon. John Knox and Jennifer Mills, who would visit every Sunday; a special niece, Shelia Waddell of West Palm Beach, FL; among other loved ones and dear friends.
His funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Monday, March 16 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Larry Payne, Rev. Gary Payne, Rev. Jim Ballard and the Hon. John Knox Mills officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Warren Family Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be family and friends. Honorary bearers will be Dr. Vora and Melanie Dyke.
Friends may call at the funeral home Monday after 12 Noon until the funeral hour.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
Send a condolence to the family of CLARENCE PAYNE JR.
For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.