Rayford Donald Payne

Rayford Donald Payne, age 91, of Cleveland Georgia, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024, at his home surrounded by his wife and daughters.

Rayford (Ray) was born February 11, 1933, in Banks County, Georgia.  He was the son of the late John Henry Payne and Janet Louise Verner Payne of Toccoa, GA. 

Ray served in the United States Army during the Korean War based out of Fort Jackson, SC.  After the war, he attended Piedmont College on the GI bill and later worked in his father’s sawmill business in Toccoa.  His adventurous spirit led him to start his own sawmill in Columbia, South America but after a few years, he returned home to Toccoa.  He eventually partnered with a friend (Van) and started a janitorial business that later became Ravan Products / R-Square Products, these companies developed and designed USDA approved detergents and fabricated equipment to facilitate cleaning and sanitizing food processing plants which, at that time, were beginning to flourish in Gainesville where eventually, he made his home for several years until he sold his business and retired with his wife Peggy to his home and farm in Cleveland, GA. 

Ray will always be remembered for his warm smile and huge heart.  He was often a man of few words who hated the spotlight, he had a humble and kindhearted nature and could always be relied upon to help others and forgive those who may have wronged him. He enjoyed a good time: dinner and drinks with friends; boating and cookouts and traveling with friends. He had a passion for his antique car and started a small collection in his later years.    

Ray is survived by his loving wife Peggy Lea Payne; daughter and son-in-law Wendy and Richard Sargent of Flowery Branch, GA and stepdaughters Angie Ogletree and Pamela Vrooman; stepsons Rocky Hammond (deceased), Martin Pittman (deceased) and Winston Pittman II and wife Donna; grandchildren Olivia Chambers of Flowery Branch, step grandchildren Omar and TJ Pittman, Cameron Pittman, Karli Henson, Stephen Henson, Jennifer Clark, Deanna Ogletree, Malcolm Ogletree (deceased), Whitney Hammond and Tiffany Vrooman; sisters and brother-in- law Diane and Roger Harrison of Lakemont, GA and Arvilla Camp of Toccoa, GA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway, Marietta, Ga 30067, www.heart.org.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00pm Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel and a memorial service at the chapel at 3:00pm with military honors.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

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