Extracted from The Winn Parish Enterprise (Winnfield, LA)
Thursday, October 20, 1949

L. M. Payne, 48, Mayor of Dodson, Succumbs Oct. 18

Last rites for L. M. Payne, 48, mayor of Dodson, who died in an Alexandria hospital, Tuesday, Oct. 18, were held at the Dodson baptist Church at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, with the pastor, Rev. John Reynaud, officiating. He was assisted by Rev. C. M. Robinson of Winnfield. Burial was in the New Hope Cemetery under direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Acting as pallbearers were Clayton Norred, R. G. Simpkins, J. L. Mathews, J. W. Sholars, J. H. Walker, and J. Y. Terry.

Mr. Payne, a native of Dodson, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Payne, Sr., of that community. In 1946 he was appointed mayor of Dodson by Gov. Jimmie Davis, and served in that office until his death. He was also engaged in the mercantile and drug business. Prior to returning to Dodson several years ago he was engaged in the drug business for ten years with Ott Milam in Kilgore, Texas, and Tullos, La. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the Dodson Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Ruth Beck Payne, and one daughter, Annette, of Dodson; one son, Jerry Payne of Alexandria; his parents; three brothers, Waymon of Dodson, J. B. of DeRidder, and Osborn of Mississippi; four sisters, Mrs. L. B. Hemperley of Winnfield; Mrs. Raymond Colvin of Ruston; Mrs. Charlie Strong of West Monroe; and Mrs. Earl Hamm of West Monroe.