John Everett Payton of Knoxville, TN, formerly of McDonough and Buchanan passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in a Knoxville hospital. He was born in Haralson County, September 4, 1934, son of the late Albert G. Payton and Bernia Blackmon Payton. Mr. Payton was a veteran of the U. S. Army and a member of the Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough. He was the owner and operator of a men's clothing store called Payton Place. John was a lifelong singer and music teacher. He sung in numerous gospel quartets and his own group with his wife, Sandy. The JoSan Singers influenced many young singers and musicians that traveled with them over the years. Survivors include his wife, Sandra 'Sandy' Davenport Payton of Knoxville; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa 'Missy' and Jason Waldroup of Knoxville; grandchildren, Abigail 'Abbie', Jonathon and Ella Waldroup of Knoxville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sadie and David Estep, Buchanan, Dodie and Charles 'Butch' Young of Buchanan and brother and sister-in-law, Norman 'Pete' and Kathryn Payton of Buchanan. Services will be Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 2:00 PM from the Corinth Baptist Church with Reverend Tommy Crider, Reverend Charles Smith, Reverend Ralph Easterwood, Reverend Aaron Johnson and Mr. Phil Cross officiating. Music will be furnished by a choir including the JoSan Singers and friends. The following gentlemen, Chris Bowling, Mike Conner, Ken Harvey, Jason Estep, Aaron Johnson and Pete Hicks will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Emory Hamilton, Bobby Blackmon and Wallace Shaw. Graveside services will follow in the Payton Family Cemetery with Reverend Wayne Waldroup, Reverend Ralph Easterwood and Reverend Aaron Johnson officiating In lieu of flowers, donations to the Good Samaritan Baptist Mission, P.O. Box 430, Villa Rica, GA 30180, Phone number 770-459-4058.