Timmons Funeral Home

Born on Nov. 21, 1936, in Marshall, North Carolina, he was a son of the late Clay and Myrtle Fisher Payne. He was a longtime, active member of Crosswell Baptist Church and retired from Farmers Telephone Coop. after 32 years of service. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years, where he learned his trade and love for electronics. He was a Vietnam War veteran. He was an avid fisherman of all of the local lakes, especially the Santee Cooper lakes where he had a name for practically every stump he fished. He also enjoyed repairing televisions for his family and friends. He had a determined spirit and will to live, surviving many tragic illnesses including several bouts with cancer and numerous vascular incidents. His will and determination to live was driven by his great love of his family.Survivors include his wife of 41 years; three daughters, Beverly Anderson (Wallace) of Sumter, Elyse Brensinger (Richy) of Lexington and Joy Timmons (Nathan) of Sumter; a daughter from a previous marriage, Rita Smith (Kevin) of Sumter; nine grandchildren, Allison McMickell, Christopher Smith (Mallory), Lauren Anderson, Nicole Smith, Lexie Brensinger, Ashlyn Brensinger, Breanna Brensinger, Ethan Timmons and Khloe Timmons; two sisters, Joyce Roberts and Nancy Buckner (Paul), both of Weaverville, North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Shelvie Hutchinson Smith (Hershel) of Aiken; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by a son, Johnny Barrett.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Crosswell Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Owens officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.Pallbearers will be Tim Russell, Bobby Russell, Timmy McMickell, Gene Kelly, Gene Ducom and Robert Kelly.Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Unity Sunday School Class of Crosswell Baptist Church.The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home.Memorials may be made to Crosswell Baptist Church, 604 Mathis St., Sumter, SC 29150.Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crema...