Rev. James "Jimmy" Warren Payne, age 69, of Copperhill, TN passed away Saturday, July 20, 2024. Jimmy was born in Copperhill on June 23, 1955 to the late Rev. Warren G. Payne and Evelyn Crawford Payne. He worked at Tennessee Chemical Company for 13 years until he started his 17 year long career at Bendix, which later merged with Honeywell. He enjoyed his time outdoors hunting and fishing. Jimmy cherished his time spent with his special nephew, Little Lloyd. Most importantly, he loved the Lord. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Tumbling Creek and loved his church family dearly. He was a licensed minister and loved to pray for the lost and sick.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rev. Lloyd and Rhoda Locke Deal; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger Lee Deal, Conrad Deal, Martha Ann Deal, Cecil Deal, William George Deal, and Leroy Danny Deal.

He married Mrs. Kathleen Deal Payne on April 19, 1978 and were married for 46 years. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Gerald and Marilyn Payne of Copperhill, TN; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Annette and Jim Looper of Louisville, TN and Lori and Jimmy McKinney of Maryville, TN; special nephew, Little Lloyd Payne; his aunt, Mary Claude Crawford; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mary Louise Talley, Randy and Sharon Deal, Carlton and Rita Deal, Richard and Stacey Deal, and Alex and Angie Deal.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 2:00 PM from the Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Tumbling Creek) with Rev. David O'Neal, Rev. Clifton Patterson, and Rev. Doyle Davis officiating. Music was provided by Alex and Angie Deal, Carla Ballew, Ivy Payne, Tessa Fowler, Levi Deal, Trevis Deal, and David Rymer. Serving as pallbearers were Matthew Deal, Jesse Deal, Adam Deal, Cory Deal, Daniel Deal, Trevis Deal and Aaron Talley. Little Lloyd Payne was selected to serve as an honorary pallbearer. Interment followed in the church cemetery with Little Lloyd Payne leading scripture. The family visited with friends at the funeral home on Monday evening from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

The family would like to thank Dominique Holmes, RN with Amedisys Hospice of Athens for the love, compassion and care shown to Jimmy and his family during this time.

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

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Copperhill, TN was in charge of arrangements.