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Funeral Services for Ronald Herbert Payne will be held on Friday, August 8,2025 at 11:00 a.m. from McClain-Hays Funeral Home with Bro. Gilman Warren officiating. Interment will follow in Bluff Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Home.
Ronald was born in Lauderdale County, MS to Herbert and Marie Payne. Ronald lived his entire life in Kemper County, MS and attended Kemper Academy and graduated class of 1987. Immediately after graduation he enlisted in the US Army, where he was a flight engineer on a Chinook helicopter. He served in Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Where he received numerous medals and honors. After retiring from the military, he went back to Iraq to work as a independent contractor. Leaving Iraq, he started long haul trucking. Ronald loved shooting guns, knives, fishing, and shooting pool. Ronald would help anyone in need at any time. He was a Free Mason and a Baptist by faith. Ronald never met a stranger, a friend to all. He will surely be missed.
Survivors include his beloved wife Susan Payne of DeKalb, MS; sons, Justin Herbert Payne of DeKalb, John Thomas Goins (Megan) of Chunky, MS; daughter, Tiffany Goins of DeKalb, MS; grandchildren, Thomas Hays III, Kara Robinson, Isaac Goins; brother, Tommy Payne (Sharon) of Arkansas; several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and their families.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Marie Payne; sister, Penny Payne.
Pallbearers will be Mike Chaney, Hank Smith, Ronnie Smith, Jim Adcock, Patrick Kirby and Cedric Clayton.
Honorary Pallbearers are Jason Freeman, Ben Byram, Henry Gene Brown, Charles Westerfield, Dave Bostic, Mark Brupbacher, Keith Guy, James Edward Culberson, Joel Culberson, Jason Pyne, David Beshears, Kellis P. Bostic, Randall Boykin, Dan Byram, Matt Byram and Richard "Snuffy" Tatum
In lieu of flowers the family request all memorials be made to Bluff Springs Cemetery Fund 1986 Lynville Road Dekalb, MS. 39328
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1002 East Main Street P. O. Box 267, Philadelphia, MS 39350
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
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