Last week, the Chattooga County Courthouse Annex was renamed in honor of former Chattooga County Probate Judge Jon Payne.

Judge Payne served as probate judge for almost five decades.  After winning his first race in 1975, Judge Payne only faced one challenger in all his years in office.  Judge Payne had announced he was retiring at the end of 2020, but he passed away from complications from COVID-19.

The Judge Jon M. Payne Government Annex houses the Chattooga County Magistrate Court, the Tax Assessor and the Tax Commissioner’s offices.

WZQZ News spoke with Chattooga County Tax Commissioner about the building being renamed in Judge Payne’s honor.  Hampton said, “I am honored to work in the building named for our friend and Judge.  Jon serve dour county just short of a half-century, and he will always be remembered for the way he treated people. He was everybody’s friend, and I think it is a wonderful way to honor his legacy.”

Hampton added, “The timing was also perfect, as the new sign went up on the annex just a few days after Jon’s birthday.”