Jean Payne

Jean McCrary Payne



Jean Claire McCrary Payne of Jackson died on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at Jackson Health Care in Jackson. A service of celebration of her life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson on Friday, June 30, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Taylor Morgan and her son, the Rev. Dr. Rhett Payne, officiating. Interment will follow the service at Pine Crest Cemetery in Jackson.



Mrs. Payne was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Rhett G. Payne Jr. of Jackson; her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Gaines C. McCrary (Bessie) of Jackson.



Jean was a lifelong resident of Jackson. She graduated from Jackson High School, then attended Judson College in Marion. She majored in business, with a minor in music, and also played on the basketball team.



Born on July 28, 1924, she was the second of three children, including her oldest sister, the late Betty (nee McCorquodale) and the late Dorothy Gaines, who died sadly at the age of 13.



A lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, she was the church's pianist and organist for almost 50 years. She was active in the Women of the Church and served in later years as a Ruling Elder.



Jean was also an active member of the Ladies Golf Association and in her prime an avid golfer. She made sure her sons had the same opportunity to love the game of golf by securing golf lessons for them, at a young age, with the late Willie Burch, a tremendous instructor out of Mobile. She was also an auxiliary member of the Jackson Fire Department and treasured her relationship with that organization.



Working for many companies as an administrative assistant, she was able to utilize her love and gift for writing by working with The Clarke County Democrat for many years.



She is survived by her sons, William "Bill" McCrary Payne (and wife, Elizabeth) and Rhett G. Payne III (and wife, Donna); five grandchildren, Laura Payne, Frazier (Lesley) Payne, Katy Dothard, Kristy (Sean) Buchanan and Rhett "Chip" (Amy) Payne IV; six great-grandchildren, Ryan Payne, Raylee Brunelle, Lula Payne, Kennedy Buchanan, Corinne Payne and Juliet Payne; sister-in-law, Bernice Feagin of Grove Hill; along with numerous nieces and nephews.



Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Children's Home in Talladega, Ala., as well as the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society or the First Presbyterian Church of Jackson.



Friends will be received at visitation at First Presbyterian Church on Friday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m.