Marion Evelyn Payne

Mrs. Marion Evelyn Payne, 91, of Martin, Tenn., formerly of Steele, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin.

Evelyn was born to Abby Green and Eunice Mary Smith Burress, in Gadsden (Crockett County), Tennessee. She graduated from Holland High School in Holland, Mo., with the Class of 1937. She was a born-again Christian when she invited the Lord Jesus Christ into her life and was baptized in 1938 at Highland Heights Baptist Church in Memphis. She met her life mate, Theodore Payne, and they married in 1939. She was a retired bookkeeper and secretary for R.D. Hughes Gin Company in Blytheville, where she worked from 1964 to 1986.

In 2009, Evelyn moved from Steele to Greenbriar Assisted Living facility in Martin where she quickly made many friends. Everyone who came in contact was amazed at her sharp mind, her quick wit and they were also impressed at how she never complained about anything, but was more concerned about those caring for her.

She was often found in her recliner, reading her Bible. She taught Bible studies and often shared about her trip to the Holy Land. Evelyn loved her Lord and not only talked about her relationship with Jesus, but lived it every day! She will surely be missed by all who loved her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore R. Payne;

Two sons, Billy Gene Payne and Jerry Wayne Payne;

A sister, Adele Burress Taylor;

A brother, Fred Burress and his wife, Deborah;

A daughter-in-law, Karen Payne;

Seven grandchildren, Marty Ritter, Karry (and Tony) Adamowicz, Lynda (and Doug) Morrison, Danny (and Kim)Payne, Deborah (and Rick) Miller, Leelana Payne and Meshayla Payne;

Seven great-grandchildren, Aaron and Elise Ritter, Anthony and Nickolas Adamowicz, Jack Morrison, Tristan and Griffin Payne; and

A host of nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews and most recently, a new great-great-great-niece, who is her namesake.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, in Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Michael Funderburk officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to First Baptist Church in Steele. An online register may be signed at cobbfuneralhome.com