Don Payne

Don Leonard Payne
Master Sergeant, Don Leonard Payne, (Ret. USMC), 74, of Havana, passed away Sunday, May 2, 2010, surrounded by his family at Big Bend Hospice House in Tallahassee. His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Bible Believers Fellowship Church. Internment will follow at MeadowWood Memorial Park in Tallahassee, with full military honors. His family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m., at Faith Funeral Home in Havana. (850-539-4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com ) Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL. 32308

Mr. Payne is survived by his wife of 51 years Ara Jean Payne. He was a retired Master Sergeant in the US Marine Corp (Engineer Operations Chief). He retired after 29 years of service. He was highly decorated with special training. Sharpshooter Badge; Expert Badge 10th Award; M-16 Sharpshooter Badge; National Defense Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal w/8 stars; Vietnam Service Medal w/3 stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device Combat Action Ribbon; Vietnam Cross of Gallentry w/Palm & Frame; Letter of Appreciation Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation Civil Action Colors (1st Class) Meritorious Unit Commendation Letter of Appreciation Presidential Unit Citation; Purple Heart; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters: Delphia Keel; Sadie Paul; Clarence “Buddy” Payne; Geraldine Marks; Robert “Bobby” Elmore and Gerrie Allen. Three children: Donna Guy (husband Donald); Mary Walters (husband Mike); Kathy Payne; and Cindy Weier (husband Doug). Grandchildren: Danny Ferucci; Cecil Guy; Kristin Walters; Michael Walters and Justin Walters. Two great grandchildren: Brianna (London) Weier and Gavin Weier. Many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence C. Payne, Sr. and his mother, Ola Mae Elmore.