Marvin Lafayette Payne, Jr.
Marvin Lafayette Payne, Jr. of Rossville 81, also known as the “Dentyne Man” passed away on May 2, 2025, after an extended illness. He was a graduate of Massey Business College in Atlanta.
He was an active member of Calvary Bible Church serving as an usher for many years. He started giving out Dentyne gum in 1963, and later switched to peppermint and butterscotch mints. When he gave you a mint, this was always his greeting, “happy smile day.” Marvin brought many smiles over the years. Gardening was Marvin’s favorite hobby and he was a master gardener.
Marvin started young in his professional life. At age 13, he managed a pool hall in Tellico Plains, Tn. In later years, he was a computer programmer and systems analyst in the medical and industrial fields. A graduate of Dale Carnegie he received the “black pencil” award for first place and the best speech. Since gardening was his hobby he became a master gardener.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin L. Payne Sr. and Maggie Beaty Payne. He is survived by his wife, of 48 years Mary, son Adam, and his beloved fur baby, Skippy. Special friends Phyllis Miller, and Sis Smith, Cecil and Ramona Mize.
Lane Funeral Home South Crest is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 7, from 1-2 p.m. The service will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the Old Coker Creek Cemetery in Coker Creek, Tn.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marvin’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, Tn. 38105 or Calvary Bible Church, 4001 Mountain Creek Road, P.O. Box 15506, Chattanooga, Tn 37415.
Pallbearers are Rayburn Bryant, Mike Husky, Terry Jones, Larry Roberts, Buddy Phillips and Larry Rose. Honorary pallbearers are Earl Freudenberg, Richard Shadrick, and Larry Austin.