Johnny Andrew Payne

Johnny Andrew Payne, 75, of Batesville passed away Monday, February 9, 2026 at White River Medical Center. He was born August 15, 1950 in Paragould to John and Nola Lewallen Payne and grew up in Saffle, where everyone knew him as J.A. He began his trucking career at JMI at Batesville, and retired from J-Mar Trucking in Searcy later making short runs for Tharp Pallet Company in Floral.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Cathy Tharp Payne; and a son, Andy Payne.

Survivors include one son, Jonathan Payne of Bald Knob; two daughters, Chasity Manry of Rogers and Shelly Moser (Jason) of Batesville; two sisters, Cordella Brannon (Tommy) of Little Rock and Barbara Sweet (Ronnie) of Batesville; four grandchildren, Payne Moser (Abigale) of Batesville, Casen Manry of Gaithersburg, MD, Juliana Moser of New Orleans, LA and Presley Payne of Fayetteville; Greg Manry of Batesville, and Karla Enderle of Fayetteville; his four-legged road buddies, Bear and Trinity of Batesville; a host of nieces and nephews; and the family of cherished friends he made across the country.

The family is having a private graveside gathering Friday, February 13, 2026 at, 2:00 p.m. at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Batesville with Tony Moser officiating.

Honorary pallbearers are Freddie Tharp, Mike Tharp, Keith Tharp, Tommy Brannon, Ronnie Sweet, Randy Sharp, Gary Leisure, Rick Lammons, Claude McClure and Tommy McGoogan

Flowers should be sent to 7 Milligan Circle, Batesville, AR 72501.

Arrangements are by Qualls Funeral Homes.