Mr. Donald Payne

Mr. Donald Payne, age 67, of Commerce, died Monday, December 21st, 2009 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. Funeral services were held on THursday, December 24th, 2009 in the Chapel of the Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home in Thomaston with Pastor Sarah Hales officiating. Interment with full military honors followed in South View Cemetery. Mr. Payne was a native of Taylor County, GA. He joined the U. S. Army and served for 23 years before retiring as a Sergeant First Class. During his Army career he served as a medic. He saw service in Vietnam where one of his jobs was 'dusting off' the First Cavalry Division. Mr. Payne became the second most decorated soldier of the Viet Nam War. After Mr. Payne retired from military service he was employed as a licensed practical nurse at Crystal Springs Nursing Home in Commerce. Mr. Payne was survived by his wife, Mrs. Jo Ann Payne