Samuel Jonathan Payne

The angels carried Samuel Jonathan Payne away to his heavenly home on February 28th, 2025. His life story begins on Valentine's day 1965, in Jolo, WV, or more exactly, Groundhog Holler. He was born to Burl Payne and his wife, Mildred Mullins Payne along with a whole lot of brothers and sisters. He was the youngest of eleven. He was a man of many talents. He could fix your car, offer you life advice as sound as any philosopher's, and turn a stick of wood into a beautiful piece of furniture. In the words of his nurses, he was a fighter and a praying man. If you spent the day with him, you had to be prepared to stop in the middle of whatever you were doing so that he could invite God into the conversation as well. When you rode around with Dad, you knew that Jesus was the other passenger in the car.
Despite his chronic illness, he never lashed out in pain. Even in the hospital bed, he would dance or even wrestle around with the nurses. Anything to make those around him laugh, even at the end.
Anyone who knew him, knew his devotion to his family. Especially his children, Amber, John, and Kris and the love of his life, Jean Bevins. He also was King of the Pekingese, but that is said sarcastically because his dogs were the actual royalty in the house and he was their servant. They spent many a rough night with him and kept him calm.
Those welcoming him into heaven are his mother and father, Burl and Mildred Payne, sisters Glenna Kennedy, Etta Mae Baker, and Marcella Mullins and brothers, Clinton Payne, Darrell Payne, and Junior Payne.
Those of us who are left here to mourn are his life partner, Jean Bevins of Newhall WV, children, Amber Payne (Jake Scott) of Rockledge FL, Jonathan (Kimberly) Payne of Jolo, WV, and Kristopher Payne of Newhall WV, the children of his heart, Jason Barton (Victoria Cash) of Ohio, and Lisa Chapman of Newhall WV, grandchildren, Samuel Payne and Sairuh Keith, sisters Marilyn Stacy (Jerry) of Jolo WV, Kathy Lowe (Doug) of Atwell WV, Karen Daugherty (Ricky) of Iaeger WV and brother Bill Payne (Gail) of Albion, IN.
The viewing will be Tuesday, March 11 from 6pm to 8pm at Fanning Funeral Home in War
The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, March 12 at 12pm at Fanning Funeral Home in War officiated by Jerry Stacy, his son, Jonathan Payne, and Freddy Vance with the burial following at Hartwell Cemetery.
Fanning Funeral Home in War is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at fanningfuneralhomes.com