Chattooga County Probate Judge Jon Payne’s family released the following statement on Judge Payne’s status saying he has been admitted to ICU.  Judge Payne tested positive for COVID-19 and has been being treated in a Rome hospital.  Read the statement from Judge Payne’s family below:

Jon has been placed in ICU in a Floyd County Hospital and is going through intense respiratory therapy. He speaks with family members for short periods of time as he can. He is considered in serious condition and is receiving the best available care known to combat the Chinese Virus. He sends his love to the people of Chattooga and asks for your continued prayers. The Judges wants every citizen of Chattooga County to know that he has the utmost confidence in his staff and assures you the citizens that the Probate Court Office will continue to function during his time of sickness.


Please also know that several people have placed information on Facebook that was unauthorized by this family. We cannot control that type of behavior, but ask that you as citizens to realize that it is unauthorized in order to hopefully keep the rumors to a minimum.
Marlie Payne, Jon’s daughter is recovering from the virus and is feeling better.

Tommy Payne, Class of 1970,
Marla Wise, Class of 1969

Our family remains
CHATTOOGA STRONG.