Misty Lynn Blair

Misty Lynn Blair, age 34, passed peacefully at home in the loving embrace of her family in the waning hours of April 16th, following a courageous four-year battle with stage IV colon cancer.

Born in 1990 to Wava and Don Payne, Misty was raised in Cherokee County and graduated from Sequoyah High School in 2008. Soon after, she began working as a temp for a mechanical contractor. Over the course of her career, Misty's prowess led her to rising from her temporary role in the call center to leading regional service teams for two major Atlanta area contractors.

Misty met her husband, Alec, in 2012 while attending Kennesaw State University. They became engaged in 2017 and soon after settled into their first home in Cartersville. In 2019, they were married in a beautiful ceremony in Dahlonega, Georgia, and simultaneously started a small family unit with the adoption of their beloved dog Winter.

While Misty's cancer journey is heartbreaking, it is also an inspiring tale of resilience in the face of adversity. Beginning in January of 2021 Misty began to feel not like herself. She started suspecting health trouble but after seeking out various appointments with primary care physicians, OBGYNs and specialists, she could not find a direct cause for her ailments. After a particularly tough hike with her husband in June 2021, she found herself unable to get out of bed. A subsequent ER visit led to her colon cancer diagnosis. It was then learned that Misty had almost 70 tumors in her lungs and liver and had an obstructed colon. The prognosis was not good. However, Misty’s resilience carried her.

She started chemotherapy and had an incredible response. Her doctors were amazed by her drive to continue to get better. By January 2022, after her first course of chemo and a routine surgery, she was mostly back to her normal self. She continued on chemo for 2.5 more years and led a relatively normal life. In late 2024 she participated in two clinical trials but complications arose that made continued treatment difficult. In April of 2025, after 4 years of fighting, she was sent home on hospice not in fear, but in peace that she had given it her all.

All in all, Misty fought through almost 100 rounds chemotherapy, 2 major surgeries, 27 rounds of radiation, various small procedures, blood transfusions and more. She participated in 3 clinical trials contributing to research that may help future cancer patients have a better chance than she did.

Misty is survived by her devoted husband, Alec, and their dog, Winter; her parents, Don and Wava Payne; her parents-in-law, Mike and Delara Blair; her sister-in-law, Jennifer Blair; her close cousin, Dillon Harrington; and her maternal aunt and uncle, Dana & John Harrington; her paternal aunt and uncles, Bobby Sue & Jerry Hynes and Kenny & Sarah Alice Thomas; she is predeceased by her cousin Michael Edwards and aunt Carla Edwards. Misty was an only child and a deeply beloved daughter, wife, and friend.

A memorial service celebrating Misty’s life and legacy will tentatively be held on April 26th at 11:00 a.m. at New Covenant Bible Church, 1095 Scott Road, Canton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Misty’s honor be made to Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue or Great Pyrenees Rescue of Atlanta.