Don Payne

Long-time Chevrolet dealer, Donald Byram Payne, age 92 of Springfield, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at NHC Healthcare in Gallatin. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 2pm in the chapel of the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield with Brother Martin Babb and Dick Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the Springfield Memorial Gardens with Joseph Pierce, Daniel Payne, Alex Payne, Bill Cohea, Kelvin Penuel, Charlie Brinkley, Jr., Ted Stubblefield and Bill Jones serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are The Gideons International. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 12pm until the hour of service at 2pm. Mr. Payne was born March 13, 1925 in Springfield to the late Byram and Ruby Simmons Payne. He was the first Eagle Scout in Springfield and Robertson County. At age 15 he earned his amateur radio license and spoke with and visited many “hams” making Springfield a very well-known city around the world. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Pilot Aviation Program in 1943 during WWII at age 17 while still in high school. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1948 and was married the next day to Bettie Bowen in Atlanta, GA. He worked in Atlanta, Washington and Charlotte before moving back to Springfield in 1950 with Payne Chevrolet which was founded by his father in 1926. He was still active in the business late in life. Mr. Payne was a member of Springfield Baptist Church where he was a Deacon for many years and a past Chairman of Deacons and Sunday School teacher. He was also a member of The Gideons International for many years. In addition to his parents Mr. Payne is preceded in death by his wife, Bettie Bowen Payne and his sister, Dorothy Harris. He is survived by sons, Jeff (Dianne) Payne of Gallatin and David Payne of Nashville; daughter, Donna (Bruce) Pierce of Danville, KY; brother, Bobby (Jean) Payne of Springfield; grandchildren, Joseph (Callie) Pierce, Allyson (Brandon) Salisbury, Daniel Payne, Daniela Payne, Alex Payne and Natalie Payne; and great-grandchildren, Addy Salisbury, Peyton Salisbury, Haisley Pierce and Gunner Payne. If so desired memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International. Any donations may be sent in c/o Austin & Bell. Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements. AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME- 509 WALNUT STREET, SPRINGFIELD, TN (615) 384-1000

Don Payne

March 13, 1925 - October 17, 2017