Mr. Creig Fielding Payne, age 90 of Centre, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at his residence.
A memorial service will be held at 4 PM on Thursday, June 26, at Fairview Community Church with Bro. David Dale officiating. Family will receive friends from 2 PM until the hour of service at the church. A graveside committal service will be held in August at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Hines Payne; Sons, Bradley Creig (Lynne) Payne, Gregory Lynn (Stephanie) Payne, Joseph Alan (Candy) Payne; Step-daughter, Leah Monteith (Shane) Nelson; Step-daughter-in-law, Amanda Pruett Monteith; 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Payne was born and raised in Floyd County, Georgia. He volunteered at the Rome Boys Club as the head football coach for their youth league, “Coosa PeeWees & Mites”, for 7 years, and impressively never lost a game. Creig was known for his patriotism, having served and retired from the National Guard where he received the “Best Dressed Commendation”. He was a member of the Rome-Based National Guard Rifle Team who placed first in the state in 1975. He loved God, his family, and his country. 1st Sgt. Payne bled red, white, and blue until the end.
He is preceded in death by his father, Floyd Conrad Payne; His mother, Annie Irene Williams Payne; Step-son, Ronald “Andy” Monteith; Linda Ozment Payne (mother of their sons, Gregory and Joseph); Sisters, Veronica Patricia Payne Camp and Juanita Ann Payne Simpson.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials be made in Creig’s name to Wreaths Across America.
Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
