Preston E. Payne

On Thursday December 21, 2023, Preston E. Payne, 22, entered the gates of Heaven.  Preston was born in Starkville MS on August 7th, 2001 to David and April Payne of Mathiston. He was promoted to big brother in May of 2004 to sister, Payton Payne.

Preston was a 2020 graduate of Choctaw County High School.  While in high school he was a member of the Charger football and Charger golf team.  After graduation Preston attended Mississippi College and then transferred to East Mississippi Community College where he was a graduate of the welding program.  Preston loved to weld.  He got that passion from his Papaw.  After his graduation from EMCC, he went to work for CORE Industries doing what he loved. He utilized his talent in helping construct the Cross of Christ display on Mississippi Highway 25 in Starkville, MS.  Preston had made many friends at his workplace and formed a special relationship with his boss, Alex Nicholson, who loved the outdoors as much a he did. During his spare time Preston was found on the water or in the woods.  Preston amazed everyone with the tricks he could do while wake boarding on the river or at Smith Lake.  He loved to bow fish and jug fish on the Tennessee River and he was an avid hunter of turkey, dove, hog, deer and ducks. Preston loved to do it all.

Visitation for Preston will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2023, from 5:00PM until 8:00PM at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman, MS. Funeral services will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church near Mathiston, MS on Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 2:00PM. Burial will follow in the Fellowship Baptist Cemetery near Mathiston, MS. Rev. Brent Manasco will officiate. Pallbearers for the services will include Noah Smith, Mitchell Smith, Beau Bates, John Thomas Bates, Cooper Bates, Blake Bates, Clark Crowley, and Daygan Crowley. 

Preston is survived by his parents David and April Payne, and sister Payton Payne, all from Mathiston, MS, his grandmother Alice Prier of Mathiston, MS and grandmother Sandra Smith of Starkville. He is also survived by his uncles and aunts, Johnny and Laura Smith of Starkville, MS, Ronald and Susan Smith of Clinton, MS, Robin and Adam Bates of Caledonia, MS and Clay Payne of Starkville, MS as well as his girlfriend Neelie Ryan Crowley of Mathiston, MS

Preston is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Perry Payne and John Allen Smith, both from Starkville, MS. Great grant parents Robert Lee “Judge Mac” and Annie May McDavid of Starkville Ms, Hubert and Maurine Smith of Mathiston and Minnie McKee of Maben Ms.

Memorials may be made in memory of Preston to any Cross of Christ Construction Fund.