James Allen Payne, 86, of Hemphill, Texas passed away Friday, November 26, 2021, in League City, Texas.

He was born in Center, Texas on November 13, 1935, and was the fourth of four children born to A.J. (Jimmie) and Mary Coy Dellinger Payne.  He attended Center public schools and graduated Center High School in 1954. His parents owned and operated a grocery store in East Center for many years. He was active in the Boy Scouts, earning Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow.

After high school, James Allen attended Panola Junior College where he met the love of his life, Penny Charlotte Pinckard. They both thereafter attended the University of Texas at Austin. James Allen put himself through college (BBA  1958) and UT Law School (J.D. 1961) working for then Lieutenant Governor Ben Ramsey at the State Capitol.  Hard work and sacrifice were a constant in his life. James Allen and Penny wed on June 6, 1959 at the First United Methodist Church in Carthage, Texas.

The couple briefly lived in Lufkin, Texas where he worked as an attorney for the Texas Department of Transportation. They moved to Hemphill in 1961 where James Allen entered law practice with John Henry Minton, also operating J.H. Minton Abstract Co.  After Mr. Minton's death James Allen continued operating the title company and practicing law until retiring in 2004.   James Allen was a member of the State Bar of Texas, also admitted to the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, a member of the First Judicial District Bar Association, and a licensed title agent for Stewart Title. He served in numerous offices over the years, including Sabine County Attorney, Hemphill City Attorney, Pineland City Attorney and Hemphill ISD School Board, among others. He served as legal counsel to many other local government entities, boards and associations.  His law practice was active and broad. He prosecuted criminal cases as the County Attorney and often with the District Attorney. He tried civil cases of all types while maintaining an active real estate practice.  He was widely known and respected and was a stalwart in the East Texas legal community.

James Allen was also extremely active in his community. He was a member of the Hemphill First United Methodist Church where he served as a lay leader and on many boards. He was instrumental in the building of the current Sanctuary and Church facilities.  He was a Scout Master, a member and past president of the Hemphill Lions Club, a member of the Pineland Service Club, and served on the Board of Directors and the Finance Committee for the JR Huffman Public Library.  His list of organizational memberships and charitable contributions was long and varied.

James Allen was one of the original members of the Board of Directors of Pineland State Bank, serving from 1968-2000. He served on virtually every committee at the bank and derived a great deal of joy from that work and his close friendships with the other Directors and bank employees. After retiring as a Director, he continued his banking work, joining the Advisory Board of Directors for Shelby Savings Bank, Hemphill branch.  That opportunity and the relationships made meant a lot to him.

He will be missed by many. His unique sense of humor and dry wit were well known and will be missed.  His wife, Penny, passed away in 1990 and although he mourned her loss until his death, he remained a rock to his family. He leaves a legacy of hard work, honesty and kindness.

He is survived by his children, daughter, Jennifer Payne Figge and husband, Alan, of League City, Texas, son, James Allen Payne, Jr. and wife, Jill, of Center, Texas and daughter, Charlotte Payne Markowski and husband, Brent, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Grandchildren: Lauren Figge of Dallas, Texas, Paige Figge of Nashville, Tennessee, James Allen Payne III of Midland, Texas, Madison Jane Payne of Center, Texas, Dana Markowski of Vacaville, California, and Holly Markowski of Albuquerque, NM; sister, Portia Gaines of Center, Texas; nieces, Polly Montemayor and husband, Johnny, of Center, Texas, Jeannie Gaines of Center, Texas, and Beverly Rogers of Albuquerque, NM.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Penny Charlotte Pinckard Payne; parents, A.J. (Jimmie) Payne and Coy Dellinger Payne; sisters, Patricia Payne Brittain and Gloria Payne.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2021 in Starr Funeral Home Chapel, 510 Starr Street, Hemphill, Texas.

Funeral services will follow visitation at Starr Funeral Home with Pastor Karen Jones and Pastor Alberto Williams officiating.

Condolences can be made and guest book may be signed online at starrfuneralhome.com.