Jean Payton

Jean Payton

Jean Payton entered into rest on February 20, 2023.

Evie Jean Mimbs was born on August 24th, 1942, to the union of Mr. Emory and Mrs. Ellie Forth Mimbs in Dublin, GA.  Jean was the baby sister, to Jeanette Tapley (Herman) and Rev. Edward Mimbs (Marjorie).  She also had a very special nephew, Danny Elliott (Deborah).     Her parents and siblings all preceded her in death.

At an early age, Jean accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior.  She spent her childhood in Scott and Adrian, Georgia.   She attended all of her elementary years in Adrian and graduated from Adrian High School in 1960.  In 1957 she was chosen Miss Adrian High School.

She married her first husband, this union was blessed with two handsome sons- James Michael “Mike” Radford (Monica), presently from Dearing, GA, and John Marcus “Mark” Radford (Charmaine), from Hoschton, GA. Together, they lived in Augusta.   Jean worked at Fort Gordon processing military personal as Lead Military Pay Technician.   She attended Clearview Baptist Church during this time.     She was a Sunday School teacher.   She had an excellent voice.   She sang in the choir, even solos.   “In the Garden” was among here favorites.

In the spring of 1977, she met Mr. Dean Payton.    Dean moved back to Nebraska in May of 1977.    Jean, Mark, and Mike also moved to Nebraska in the Fall.    Dean and Jean were married in Lexington, NE on November 12th, 1977.  Jean gained four children, Daryl Payton (Irene) from Newport News, VA, Donita Oswald (Paul), from Milford, NE, Dorene Gates (Steve) from Broomfield CO, and David Payton(Sheila) from Holiday, FL.

During her time in Lexington, she worked in the office at a grocery store doing finances and was involved in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows as a Rebekah.    She planted a garden, learned how to can, and would grow rhubarb, tomatoes, green beans, carrots, along with many flowers.  They would gather wild asparagus and grapes if they would get there ahead of the wildlife. 

In 1985, they moved back to Augusta, GA and then in 1986 to their current address in Thomson, GA. Upon returning to Georgia, Jean resumed working at Fort Gordon with 26 years of total service, finalizing her career there from 1986 to 1998. 

Jean was a member of Washington Heights Baptist Church in Thomson, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Gideon Auxiliary, and the TOPS #449 in Harlem. 

Jeans happiest times were spent with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.    Grandchildren include Mike, Krystyn, Joseph, Nicolette, Derek, Natalie, Alexandra and Joshua. Great grandchildren:  Wells, Mason, Gracee, Ramsey, Emma, Livie, Jackson, Jameson, Asher, Kellen, Kenley, Trigg, Shae, Dion, and Taya.   

She has listed her special “adopted” sisters as Joy Crawford, the late Sandra Johnson, Charlene Grantham and Patricia Lloyd.

Jean loved planting and caring for her flowers as well as gardening.     She loved anything that was Thomas Kincaid.  She was great at sending birthday, anniversary, and holiday cards, to friends and family. Jean loved to help others.   She also showed her love by cooking for her church and family. Many family members have favorite dishes, including buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy, her pecan pie, chicken and rice casserole, broccoli and cheese and butter beans.  Church members enjoyed her brownies on Wednesday nights.  Her spaghetti was a favorite and often requested at potlucks. She was an excellent cook and these mentioned are only a few of the many dishes that will be missed by many.  She loved holidays.  Her favorite was Christmas.     She loved to change her seasonal decor.  In the years after retirement, she enjoyed her time with friends, family and with Dean, who has survived her. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 6 to 8 pm at Washington Heights Baptist Church in Thomson.   Funeral services will be 11 am Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Washington Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Gary Caudill and Rev. Jon Richards officiating.   Burial will follow in Westview Cemetery, Thomson.

Donations may be made in her honor, in lieu of flowers, to the Washington Heights Baptist Church building fund, or to The Gideon’s.

Pallbearers: Elijah, Caleb, Joseph, Jonathan, Jude Caudill and Chris Miles.

Honorary Pallbearers: Members of Tops #449 in Harlem, Georgia.

Please visit www.lowefuneralhomes.net to sign the online guestbook.

Lowe Funeral Home, 77 W. Gibson St. Warrenton GA 30828 (706) 465-3333

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