I’ve been to the funeral home too many times in the last few years. Often, it is the parent of a classmate, which is, of course, a solemn occasion but understandable since we are not spring chickens anymore. Sadly, however, it is not always the parent of a classmate who has passed away but a classmate.
In October of 2022, after the release of my latest book, I set up at Willowfest in Henagar. It was great because I saw several old classmates from Sylvania. I saw Woodrow Guffey, whom I hadn’t seen since high school. He looked wonderful. A few months later, he died unexpectedly of a heart attack. A part of me was glad I got to see him, but it was a punch to the gut.
I went to the funeral home Saturday to pay my respects to another former classmate, who, like Woody, was only one grade ahead of me and also a person I really liked. Joey Payne. Joey also apparently died unexpectedly from a heart attack. That’s way too young for both Woody and Joey.
I have fond memories of Joey. My first year in junior football, I was the starting center and Joey was the starting quarterback. What a pair we made. Wasn’t either of taller than five-foot-six. I don’t think either of us ever crossed that threshold. It’s not a big deal for a center to be short. Their job is simple – hike the ball to the quarterback, then get pummeled by half the defensive line.
Quarterbacks, however, are traditionally tall because they need to be able to see over everyone and have a clear view of the entire field. I don’t know how Joey was such a good quarterback since he couldn’t even see over me, at least not until I was pummeled by half the defensive line. I think he may have closed his eyes and used the Force.
What stands out in my memory most about Joey, though, was his personality. I never saw him not in a pleasant mood and I have no memories of him not smiling. I can’t think of anyone I’ve met in life so eager to laugh and make others laugh. Granted, I haven’t seen Joey since high school, and I assume life in adulthood got just as frustrating for him as it does for all of us, but I only have the old memories to go by.
The lesson here is to cherish family and friends while we can. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Life is going to be full of pain, but thankfully, God will throw us a little Payne in the mix. Godspeed, Joey.
Neal Wooten is a columnist in the Mountain Valley News and North Jackson Press newspapers. He is a published author of more than three dozen books. He can be reached at [email protected].
