John Howard Payne II was born August 8, 1946, son of John and Clara Payne of Corinth, MS. During the Vietnam War, he proudly served 4 years in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in December 1970. He returned to Corinth, where he met Bettye Norris. On June 17, 1973, they married, and on November 9, 1978, were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Johnna Claire Payne. In 2005, Johnna married Lance Henley and in 2008 gave John his first grandson, Payne Henley and in 2014 a second grandson, Parks Henley.

John spent the majority of his work career in the insurance industry, retiring in 2009 from Farm Bureau, Vicksburg, then spending the next four years working at a slower pace, part time, at Hennessey, Thames, & Leavitt, Mississippi's largest independent insurance agency. In 2013, he fully retired, and he and Bettye moved to the Flowood area to be near family.

Family was very important to him. He adored his wife, daughter, and his "boys", grandsons Payne and Parks. He was an active and faithful member of churches in each of the communities where he and Bettye lived. He was ordained as deacon at Griffith Memorial Baptist Church, served on the Executive committee at First Baptist Church, Vicksburg and had just begun a term on the Board of Trustees at Saint Marks United Methodist Church. God led John and Bettye to visit Saint Marks where an invitation by Ron Doyle to attend Ways and Means Sunday School class led to a loving family of friends followed by church membership.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors, but mostly the time spent with friends during these activities. Reading and cooking were also favorite pastimes. An avid traveler, the freedom of retirement allowed for increased traveling, both domestic and abroad.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Payne, mother and father-in-law, Edna and Jimmy Norris, and brother-in-law, Rickye Norris.

He is survived by Bettye, his wife of 48 years, daughter, Johnna Henley, son in law, Lance, and grandsons, Payne and Parks Henley. He is also survived by his brother, Terry Payne (Jan), nephews, Bill (Shanda), Lee (Rachel), and Jason Payne, Ritchie Norris (Brandy); one niece, Heather Norris Roberts (Shawn); sister-in-law, Martha Norris and ten great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at 11:30 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Flowood. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until 11:30.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, MS Chapter at https://donate3.cancer.org; or St Marks United Methodist Church, 400 Grants Ferry Road, Brandon, MS 39047