Janice Marie Payne, 72, of Knottsville, passed away on June 25, 2025, surrounded by family at the Heartford House in Owensboro, Kentucky. She was born to the late Paul and Dorothy Millay.
Janice worked at Millay’s Tavern, often referred to as the “Beer Joint,” for over forty years. After her mother passed away in 1993, Janice and her three brothers—Joe Bill (wife Janice), Ricky, and David—took over ownership of the Beer Joint. Janice continued running the tavern until her retirement in 2018. She could often be found at Millay’s Tavern and Grill, where she enjoyed chatting with customers, listening to bad jokes, or talking about her children and grandchildren.
Janice had a wide range of hobbies, including playing softball in her younger years, dancing, clogging, writing, fishing, and spending quality time with her family. She loved telling stories about her family and her experiences living in Knottsville. She authored two books based on these experiences: Millay’s Beer Joint Ghost and Millay’s Beer Joint Ghost: 1944. She also had a collection of short stories in progress, which she was working on during her final days.
In addition to her parents, Janice was preceded in death by her older sister Becky. She is survived by her daughter Becky Horn of Knottsville (husband Vince, children Logan and Shelby), son Daniel of Lake Ridge, Virginia (wife Simone, children Liliana, Antonio, and Daniel Jr.), son Matt of Knottsville, partner and soulmate of 22 years Mike Higdon of Knottsville and his three daughters, Mandy Bretz of Santa Claus, Indiana (husband Jon, children Stella and River), Morgan Fisher of Huntingburg, Indiana (husband Andy, children Knox and Parker) and Tonya Reney of Clarksville, Tennessee (husband Daniel, children Alexis, Jixy, Amelia, Sophia and Maverick). Above all, Janice loved being Memaw.
Visitation for Janice will be from 12 to 5 p.m Sunday, June 29 at Cecil Funeral Home. The service and burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 30 at St. William Catholic Church.
Expressions of sympathy may take form of contributions to the Heartford House Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky or to Mary Carrico Catholic School in Knottsville.