Leonard Payne, 81, of Shoals

Born May 31, 1942 in Martin County, he was the son of Claude and Ruby (Waggoner) Payne. Leonard married Betty Nicholson on June 29, 1963 in Shoals, and she survives. He retired from National Gypsum after 38 years. Leonard is a member of the Shoals Nazarene Church. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, mushroom hunting, camping, and just being outdoors. 

Surviving are his wife, Betty; daughter, Shirley (Donald) Holt, of Shoals; two sons, Larry Joe Payne and his companion, Melissa Mae Dobson, of Shoals, and Leonard Lester Payne and Tim Wade, of Washington; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Henry, Carl, Norman, William George, Charles, and George William Payne, in infancy; and sisters, May Payne, Helen Hart, Sue Marquese, Deloris Nelson, and Dora Pennington. 

Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the Queen-Lee Chapel of George Funeral Care, with Pastor Marvin Lagle officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 P.M. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the Queen-Lee Chapel, Shoals. 

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.queenlee.com.