Helen Louise Howard Payne

Mrs. Helen Louise Howard Payne, age 76 of Williams Bridge Road, Toccoa passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at her residence.

A daughter of the late James and Sarah Burton Howard, she was born December 9, 1942 in Stephens County, Georgia having lived the greater part of her life in Franklin County, Georgia. She was employed with Lanier Clothing for a number of years. She was a faithful Christian and a long standing member of Tom’s Creek Baptist Church, the XYZ Senior Group and the Circle of Hope Sunday School Class. She was a gentle and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was a warm, gentle, spirit who loved with her whole heart and you could feel it radiate from her. She was loved by many and her genuine goodness was palpable. She had a shy, almost naïve sense of humor and she loved to laugh. She is going to be greatly missed because the world dimmed a little more when Jesus called her home, but oh my, how she is rejoicing.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Melvin Payne in 2018, sisters, Runelle Howard Childs and Sybil Howard and by a niece, Vicki Childs Courtney.

Survivors include her only son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Sherrie Payne of Toccoa and her only grandchild, Stevie Payne of Toccoa; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Arvil Mize of Toccoa; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Evelyn Howard of Diamond, Missouri; four nieces, Pat Crunkleton, Cookie Sheppard, Teresa Kelley and Sharmin Hodge; four nephews, Dwain Mize, Danny Howard, Steve Childs and Chris Childs; many great-nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the Acree-Davis Funeral Home on Thursday, November 7, 2019, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.acree-davisfh.com.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Tom’s Creek Baptist Church.

Acree-Davis Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Helen Louise Howard Payne.