A good-sized crowd turned out at noon on Saturday for a tribute to Chattooga County Probate Judge Jon Payne.  The event was organized by Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton.  Tax Commissioner Hampton told those assembled that while the funeral service was private, she wanted to have a short service in honor of Chattooga County’s first Probate Judge, who held the position for almost 46 years.

After a few words from Tax Commissioner Hampton, Chattooga County Chief Deputy Kevin Woods led those assembled in prayer.  Taps was then played, followed by a moment of silence.

Judge Payne, a veteran of the Marine Corps, was first elected to the position in 1975 when he was just twenty-five-years-old.  His long career was characterized by his warm and friendly personality and his ability to level justice with compassion.

Some of Judge Payne’s family was in attendance at the short service, along with local officials and current Chattooga County Probate Judge Becky Duke who has been working with Judge Payne throughout his tenure.  Duke was appointed Associate Probate Judge and assumed the roll as Probate Judge when Judge Payne passed away last week.