Gloria Gay Payne

Gloria Meadows Payne, formerly of Beckley, passed away on July 30, 2016, after a long illness. Wheelchair bound for the past 20 years, she walked in through the pearly gates to meet her husband of 63 years, James Ralph Payne; parents, Jacob W. and Cora Meadows; brothers, Mason “Mack” and Clifton “Buck” Meadows; sisters, Lois Meadows and Alma Thornton.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Cheryl Mills and Cindy Aliff; sisters, Nawawsa “Tootsie” Falvo and Charlotte Johnson; grandchildren, Brad and Ryan Mils, Amber Harper and Jacob McCormick; nine great-grandchildren.

She graduated from Morris Harvey College and West Virginia University. She taught elementary school in Wyoming County for 24 years. Twenty-two of those years were spent at Stephenson Grade School. Her last church membership was at St. Mary’s United Methodist Church in Beckley. Her bright smile and gentle manner will be greatly missed.

Friends may gather with the family on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home from 6-8pm.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at 11am with Gilbert Dodson officiating.

Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas and Bhalodi and their staff; her sitters, Maria and Darlene and the staff of Hospice of Southern West Virginia for the compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, Po Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.

Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, has the honor of serving the Payne family.