The Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge announces the death of Jeff Payne, Jr. of Blue Ridge, GA who passed away on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN.Mr. Payne was born on August 8, 1928. He retired after thirty-nine and a half years from Cities Service as a crane operator. Mr. Payne was a member of Youngs Chapel Baptist Church.

He is survived by wife, Ruby Young Payne of the home; son, Jeffrey Scott Payne of Athens, GA; sisters-in-law, Bernice Young of Blue Ridge, GA and Lois Young of Ozark, AL.

Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Eugene Childers and Rev. Max Curtis officiating. Pallbearers will be James Young, Jimmy Dotson, Robert Young, James Barnes, Junior Young and Mickey Hulsey. Interment will follow in the Youngs Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. David Mashburn officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.