John Clifford Payne, age 16, of Epworth, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023. He was born on May 29, 2006 in Blue Ridge. John was a member of Calvary Chapel Blue Ridge. He worked with the family business, Payne's Orchard, where he was a jack of all trades. John was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Berean Homeschool Co-op and was dual enrolled at Truett McConnell University.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Michael Rhodes and paternal grandmother, Joy Payne.

John is survived by his parents, Clifford Payne and Laura Rhodes Payne; maternal grandmother, Kathy Rhodes; paternal grandfather, John Henry Payne; aunts and uncles, Timmy Payne, Angie (Jimmy) Green, Carla Payne, Chris Payne, Amanda (Joe) Sharp, Michelle (Lance) Queen, Michael "Mikey" (Amanda) Rhodes, Marc (Julie) White; and a host of cousins and other family.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 11:00 AM from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Daniel Postell officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris Payne, Timmy Payne, Lance Queen, Daniel Shuler, Darrell Stewart, and Paul Cantrell. Honorary pallbearers will be Mikey Rhodes, Joe Sharp, Christopher Payne, and Anthony Michael Champion. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Friday Evening from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.akinscobb.com.

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