Joe Alexander Payne

Joe Alexander Payne, 82, of Wappapello, Mo., formerly of Blytheville, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 23, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn., after a tragic accident at his home.

Joe was born July 27, 1940, in Blytheville, to Raymond and Louise (née Gunter) Payne. He graduated from Burdette High School in 1958. Joe served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 spending time in Vietnam as a telephone and communications installer and repairer. During his time in the service, Joe was awarded the Sharpshooter award for his use of the M-14 rifle, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Joe dedicated 35 years of his life in service to Southwestern Bell, retiring as a supervisor in 1991.Joe enjoyed serving his community by serving on the Mississippi County Fair Board, Boy Scouts of America, Telephone Pioneers, and the Dogwood Water Board. He served as the chairman of the Building Committee for Aldersgate Methodist Church, overseeing the construction of the new church. He was an ordained deacon at Little Brushy Missionary Baptist Church in Wappapello.

Joe was a talented woodworker, creating pieces his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will enjoy for years to come. He spent hours with his friends at the “coffee shop” at Hardy Sales and Service. He found great joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren spending time fishing, teaching them tools, working in the garden, and when he couldn’t be there in person, having wonderful conversations with them via FaceTime.

Joe met the love of his life, Carole (née Burnham) in 1963 and they married in 1965. Together they built a beautiful life in Blytheville resulting in two sons, four grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. They enjoyed spending time with their family and at their lake house in Wappapello. In 2021, they made their treasured lake house their permanent home.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Louise Payne; and his brothers Jimmy, Don, and Jerry Payne.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Carole; two sons and their wives, Joel and Christen (née Ellis) of Union, Ky., and Jeffrey and Lauren (née Seyler) of Madison, Miss.; four grandchildren, Tiffany Thompson (William) of Ramstein AB in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, Jeremy Payne of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jacob Payne (Jasmine) of Brandon, Miss., and Nickolas Payne of Brandon, Miss.; six great-granddaughters, Olivia Thompson, Nora Thompson and Brynn Thompson (Tiffany and William) and Alayna Wolfe, Stella Payne, and Willow Payne (Jacob and Jasmine); and his brother, Jon Payne of Marion.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Dogwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until service time at Cobb Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in Joe’s name to Little Brushy Missionary Baptist Church at 8348 Hwy. T, Wappapelo, MO 63966. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.