Gerald E. Payne

Gerald E. Payne, 82, of East Brainerd passed away Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 at his home.

A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Mr. Payne was a graduate of Central High School and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Chattanooga.

He was a Certified Public Accountant having practiced in Chattanooga since 1958.

At the time of receiving his CPA Certificate, he was the youngest recipient in Tennessee.

His goal was to be the oldest, exemplified by the old adage, “Old accountants never die; they just lose their balance.”

Mr. Payne was a member of First Centenary United Church and had served on several boards there. 

He was active on the Reunion Committee for the Central High Class of 1953.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Erskine and Helen Payne; and sister, Carolyn Johnson.

Survivors are his wife, Betty K. Payne;  children, Elizabeth (Phillip) Berrier, Acworth, GA; Susan (Don) Hembree, Johnson City, TN; Laura (Joseph) Graham, Winston Salem, NC; and Carter (Andrea) Payne, Chattanooga.  five grandchildren, Matthew Hembree, Ellen Graham, Samuel Payne, Larkin and Grayson Berrier.; special friends, David Peel and Robert DeBord.

Services will be held Friday, December 6th at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Mark Gooden and Dr. David Harr officiating.  Burial will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East with Don Hembree, Matthew Hembree, Carter Payne, Joseph Graham, Tim Hackney, and Phillip Berrier serving as pallbearers.

Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences to the Payne Family.

The family will receive friends Friday from 11:30 until 1 p.m.at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.