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Official Obituary of

Earnest Lee Payne Sr.

June 30, 1953 ~ June 22, 2021 (age 67) 67 Years Old

Earnest Payne Sr. Obituary

Earnest Lee Payne, Sr., affectionately known as Poke, was born June 30, 1953, to the late Roosevelt Dill Walker and Mary Emma Payne.

He departed this life on June 22, 2021.

Earnest loved fishing, Monster Truck races, classic cars, and wrestling. He also enjoyed time spent with family and friends, sitting on the porch watching the cars pass by. He attended Greater Bush Grove Baptist Church where Reverend Eugene Carter pastors. Poke was a hard worker. He was employed as a Cook at the University of Tennessee for over 20 years. He also worked at Kerns Bakery for a period.

Preceded in death by his father; mother; sister, Mary Helen Payne; brother, John Payne (Pam); aunts, Mary Alice Hall, Ruth Mae Payne and Lovell Holiday; uncles, Willie C. Payne “Big Sam” and James Payne.

Left to cherish his memory: sons, Fred Barnhill of Ohio, Earnest Mills and Marquis Brazelton (Deanna); daughters, Renadann Shell (DeForest) and Nesharron Payne; grandchildren, Fred Jr.,Ta'tionna, Anita, David, TonReon, Beautyful and Jericho; brothers, James “Sonny” Williams (Almazine), Jimmy Payne (Sherry), Rufus Williams (Ella), David Payne and Bobby Payne; sisters, Annie Mae Bownes and Shirley Payne; a host of nieces, nephews and more siblings in Aberdeen, MS; special friends, Norma Barnhill, Sandra Mills and Sharon Brazelton.

Friday, July 2, 2021, a public walkthrough is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Open Door Church, 2806 Sherman Street, Knoxville, TN. Social distancing and face coverings are required. A service to follow for immediate family and close friends. Pastor Steve A. Simpson is the eulogist. Flowers may be delivered to the church the morning of the walkthrough. Professional arrangements entrusted to Patton Funeral Home, Brian L. Buckmon, LFD 1-800-824-8283 or www.pattonfuneralhome1962.com.

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