John Luther Payne Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of John Luther Payne of Boone, North Carolina, who passed away on December 20, 2025, at the age of 80, leaving to mourn family and friends. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.

He was predeceased by: his parents, Frank Mast Payne (Ellen Matthews Payne) and Ellen Payne; Frank Payne, Jr.. He is survived by: his brother Frank; his wife Pat Payne; his children, Cinda Payne-Smith (Scott Smith) of Boone, Lee Payne of Crumpler and Andrew Payne (Carrie Streeter) of Boone; his grandchildren, Bess Denis (Chris Denis) of Durham, Carter Smith (Molly Campell) of Durham, Eliot Smith (Julia Friedrich) of Boone, Nora Smith of Boone and Hank Smith of Boone; his great grandchild Maggie Denis of Durham; and his brother-in-law Bruce Oland (Penny Oland) of Raleigh. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in his name to Amorem (902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645; https://www.amoremsupport.org) or to the Junior Appalachian Musician (JAM) program (P.O. Box 44, Independence, VA 24348; https://jamkids.org).