Don Payne, Jr. of Maryville TN died peacefully at home on April 20, 2026 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia.

Don was born on April 29, 1946, to Don Payne, Sr. and Lorine Humphreys Payne in Greeneville, TN. His early childhood was spent in the Cedar Creek Community of Greene County until the family moved into Greeneville. He graduated from Greeneville High School where he played on the varsity baseball and basketball teams. He graduated from Maryville College in 1968 where he continued participating in athletics on the MC Scots basketball and baseball teams. He returned to Greeneville and began a career in education as a coach, teacher and principal with Greene County Schools. During that time, he earned an MA from East Tennessee State University. He later transitioned into the business sector and retired from Philips Semiconductors.

Don was a member of the Greeneville/Greene County YMCA where he regularly played basketball and enjoyed early morning swims. An avid golfer, he was a member of Link Hills Country Club in Greeneville and later Lambert Acres golf course in Maryville. After he and his wife, Kay Denman Payne, moved to Maryville in 2017, he especially enjoyed attending basketball games at his alma mater, Maryville College. He loved to read and do crossword puzzles. A life-long Presbyterian, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, later moving his membership to New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville. He was an ordained Elder and Deacon and active in church life.

Don is preceded in death by his parents and a son, Brett Payne. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kay Denman Payne, a son Don Stanbery Payne, stepson Nathan Waggoner(Tiffany)), stepdaughter Emily Higginbotham(Zak), grandchildren Chance (Sarah) Payne and Nick (Gabby) Payne, Kate Waggoner, Taylor Mann, Anna Waggoner, Parker Waggoner and Emmett Higginbotham, and four great grandchildren, Adalai Payne, Nova Payne, Margo Payne and Max Payne.

Special thanks to Bartlett Day Out, DayBreak Dementia Respite and Prisma Hospice for supporting Don and Kay during his illness. The family also wishes to thank special caregivers Dena, Diane, Sandy and Tasha. Donations may be made to AlzTennessee.org, New Providence Presbyterian Church, Maryville, or First Presbyterian Church, Greeneville. A memorial service will be held at New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9 with reception to follow in Westminster Hall. There will be a graveside service for interment of ashes at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16 at Cedar Creek Cemetery in Greenville, TN with a reception to follow at Cedar Creek Presbyterian Church.

“Humility is the surest sign of strength.”

Thomas Merton