Mrs. Irene Payne Thompson, age 91, of Riverdale, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025 in Lake City, Georgia. Irene was born on June 24, 1934, in Chatsworth, Georgia to the late Cleade Payne and Jannie Patterson Payne. She was preceded in death by her parents and many beloved extended family members.

Irene's first job as a young woman was working with her mother at Molly's Resort in Copperhill, Tennessee and then moving into the Picadilly chain; where she developed a love of cooking...which included the families favorites of Banana Pudding, Cole slaw and Chocolate Pie. She then worked many years for the Army Airforce Exchange at Fort Gilliam, Georgia, where she served as an order puller in the Diamond Vault along with various other positions.

Irene also had a love for travel; she even became a Truck Driver. She has traveled from the southern most point of Florida, up to Canada and into Alaska. Irene then decided that she wanted to cover all the states in between the Carolina's across the country into California, just to make sure that she had not missed anything.

We all knew Irene had a love for family gatherings, sharing good food and memories from the past. From the kindness of her mother feeding everyone that came by, to them having to walk down from the hills to go to work. There was an aunt that had a convertible with no brakes that they all used to pile into, even buying her first car and not knowing how to drive it. The stories go on and on and we will miss not having her here to remind us all of a simpler time.

Irene is survived by her sons, Charles C. Thompson, Jerry M. Thompson, and Mitchell R. Thompson with wife Cindy Thompson; and grandchildren, Michelle Burrows with husband Willam Burrows, Tanya Barrett with husband Ryan Barrett and Jeff Thompson. Along with great grandchildren Jack Burrows, Mia and Hudson Barrett.

A graveside service to honor the life of Irene was held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. from the Mobile Baptist Church Cemetery at 4971 Mobile Rd, McCaysville, GA 30555 with Rev. Dr. Tom Jordan officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com.

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge was in charge of arrangements.