July 7, 1932 – August 26, 2008

Paul Payne, 76, of Dawsonville died Tuesday August 26, 2008 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Mr. Payne was a lifelong resident of Dawson County and for many years he owned and operated Payne’s Service Station, Payne’s Wrecker Service, Fuel Service and Paul Payne Used Cars.  He served as Chief Magistrate Judge for Dawson County for 39 years before retiring in 2005.  Mr. Payne was a 1950 graduate of Dawson County High School, was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville, and was a U. S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie Looper Payne; parents, Arnold and Lucinda Payne and a sister, Ruby Holley.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret Payne, Dawsonville; step daughters, Sandra Gilleland and Karen Chester, Dawsonville; sister, Betty Thompson, Gainesville; several step grandchildren, a step great-granddaughter, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday August 29, 2008 at 2 o’clock at the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Glenn Byrd, Rev. Cory Gilleland, and Rev. Roger Holley will officiate. Interment will follow in the Mill Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 and 7-9pm on Thursday.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.  706-265-3159