Hamilton County has been very fortunate to have had many outstanding judges in our local courts. Circuit Court Judge Samuel H. Payne, who retired from the court in 2006, is one of them.
Judge Payne graduated from the University of Chattanooga, from which he received its Distinguished Alumni Award. He earned his law degree at the University of Tennessee College of Law.
He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and served as a B-29 Superfortress gunner during the Korean War, flying more than 25 combat missions, and also served in Europe.
After private law practice, he was elected judge of the local Circuit Court, Division II, and repeatedly was re-elected, serving 32 years before his retirement.
Judge Payne also has been very active in the Episcopal Church, being ordained to the diaconate, then being ordained as a priest in 1979, serving as curate of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church until June 1994. He currently is an assistant at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
It is highly appropriate that Judge Payne will be honored today at noon by the unveiling of his portrait at the Hamilton County Courthouse, recognizing his excellent long-term service.