Gregory Franklin Payne

Gregory Franklin Payne, 72, of Snead, Alabama, passed away peacefully at his home on November 2, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and close friends.

Greg was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, farmer, and public servant whose life was defined by hard work, service to others, and a deep love of family, community, and Auburn University.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Donna Ridgeway Payne; daughters, Amy (James) Burgess and Amber (Shawn) Payne-Gregory; grandchildren, Abby Kathryn Burgess, Cooper Payne Burgess, William Russell Burgess, Pearson Grant Payne, and Grayson Adrianna Gregory; brother, Scott (Gail) Payne; nieces and nephews, Cody (Tori) Payne, Chance (Adrian) Payne, Kayla (Craig) Goodman, and Mackenzie Payne; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Pasen Chance Payne, Scottlyn Ann Payne, Callum Scott Payne, and Wells Allen Goodman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, D.F. and Nell Payne, and brothers, Rex Payne and Kenneth Payne.

A 1972 graduate of Oneonta High School, Greg was a member of the 1971 State Football Championship Team. He later attended Auburn University, where he majored in Industrial Hygiene.

A lifelong farmer, Greg raised beef cattle and poultry and grew soybeans and cotton. He served on the Blount County Farmers Federation Board and was active in the Blount County Cattlemen’s Association. In 1983, he served as State ALFA Young Farmers Chairman. In 1982, Greg and his father-in-law, Rex Ridgeway, were named State Poultry Winners. Greg and Donna were also recognized as the Outstanding Young Farm Family in 1987–1988.

Greg began his service in emergency medical services (EMS) in Blount County in 1971 and went on to become the first Director of Operations for Blount EMS. He served on the BREMSS Executive Board from 1990 to 2003, as Fire Chief for the Town of Snead, and with the Blount County Fire Protection Association, including serving as chairman. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of E-911 in Blount County. In 1992, he was named the Blount County–Oneonta Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen. Throughout his working life, Greg also served as City Manager and Water Department Manager for the City of Snead, Service Manager at Snead Ag, and a supervisor with Reed Construction and Rogers Group. He especially enjoyed operating heavy equipment in the coal mines.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Snead Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Bridge Church Boaz, 111 McGee Street, Boaz, Alabama 35957. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with the funeral service beginning at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery in Snead.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Greg’s honor, please consider donating to one of the following:

National EMS Memorial; Alabama 4-H Foundation/Blount County; Susan Moore Touchdown Club

Snead Funeral Home is honored to serve the Payne Family!