Chattooga County Probate Judge Jon Payne will be laid to rest today at a private service.

On Friday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered that all flags at the State Capitol and all flags in Chattooga County be lowered to half-staff in honor of one of the longest serving probate judges in Georgia history.

Judge Payne was the first Probate Judge of Chattooga County.  Before his election, the court was known as the Court of the Ordinary.

Judge Payne was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Chattooga High School, a Veteran of the U. S. Marines, for several years was a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Deputy, and was elected Chattooga County Probate Judge in 1975 at the age 25 and was the only Probate Judge Chattooga County has known. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

A box has been set up outside the courthouse for members of the public to leave their condolences for Judge Payne’s family.