Leverne Franklin Payne, 82, of Tallahassee passed at home on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Funeral services are private. TILLMAN OF TALLAHASSEE (850-942-1950) is serving the Payne family. A Tallahassee native, Mr. Payne was a 1959 graduate of FAMU DRS High School. He had served in the U.S. Army as an enlistee from 1961 until 1963. He then returned to College and earned his undergraduate degree from FAMU. He was the retired Director of the City of Tallahassee's 4th Avenue Recreation Center, which was named in his honor. Leverne was also a lifelong member of Bethel AME Church and a devoted Community Activist. He served for years as Soul Santa and as an advocate for the disenfranchised. Survivors include his loving wife, Nellie Johnson Payne, children and grandchildren; brother, John (Marge) Payne, Jr.; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Leverne's parents, John Sr. and Mary Franklin Payne and his sister, Dorothy Payne Williams all preceded him in death.