Peggy Jones Payne, 89, of Jesup, Ga. passed away under the care of At Home Assisted Living and Hospice of South Georgia. The Ware County native and former resident of Fernandina Beach Fla. had lived in Wayne County most of her life. She was a member of Jesup First United Methodist Church, the JOY Sunday School Class, Women's Circle and the Jesup Garden Club. After graduating from Georgia Teacher's College in Statesboro, Peggy began her teaching career in Nassau County Florida and retired after 38 years from the Wayne County Board of Education. The avid reader encouraged literacy with every child she taught and loved her students deeply. Her family time was very important to her so she would assist her sister, Ruby Jean Keith in leading the MYF Methodist Youth Fellowship and helped direct weddings with her sister, Patsy Jones Bennett. Some of Peggy's favorite pastimes were gardening, watching her children's alma mater, "Auburn Tigers" football and doting on the grandchildren. Her parents, C.B. and Ruby Jones preceded her in death, along with her brother, Charles Jones and sister, Patsy Jones Bennett.

Survivors are one daughter, Glenna (Tim) Reeves of Atlanta; one son, James C. "Jim" Payne of Keystone Heights, Florida; 5 grandchildren, Nathan (Courtney), Kayleigh (South) and Hayden Reeves, Marissa and Charlotte Payne; 3 great grandsons, Jackson, Elliott and Leo; a sister, Ruby Jean (Jerry) Keith of Jesup; her accepted brother, Richard (LaTiare) Riley of Richmond Hill; dearly loved nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; her dearly beloved Shitzu companion, Buddy.

A celebration of life will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Jesup United Methodist Church with Pastor Rebecca Duke-Barton officiating. Private interment will be in the Jesup City Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 2:00-300 p.m prior to services at the church.

The family wants to thank her amazing caregivers: staffs of At Home Senior Living Center, Hospice of South Georgia, Dr. Marsha Certain, Kathy Frazier, Kimberly Neville, Rose Daniels and Ellen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup, Ga.  is in charge of arrangements.