Virginia Elizabeth "Dolly"/"Mimi" Ball Payne

Dolly was born in King and Queen County, VA and graduated as Class Salutatorian from Marriot School where she later taught. Dolly received her teaching certificate from Farmville State Teachers College and later her BA Degree from Lynchburg College.

Dolly’s teaching career began at the Magruder School near Williamsburg, VA during which time she met her husband, now deceased, State Trooper Lewis Franklin (L.F.) Payne. Following their marriage in King and Queen County in 1940, Dolly and Payne moved to the Town of Amherst (VA) where they resided for over 50 years. Dolly retired from teaching after 25 years of service. She was a well-known and loved first grade teacher in Amherst County and Lynchburg. Her last assignment was at Garland Rhoads School, Lynchburg.

Throughout her life Dolly dedicated herself to her family, friends, church and community. She was an active member of Amherst Baptist Church, the Amherst Garden Club, Amherst Jr. Woman’s and Woman’s Clubs, Winton Country Club, the Amherst Retired Teacher’s Association, Board member of the Amherst County Historical Museum, and the CALL Literacy Program of which she was a proud co-founder. Dolly was an active volunteer as a tutor, mentor or fundraiser in the literacy program, the Amherst County Democratic Party organization, the Amherst Museum house tour and Election Day cake raffle, and all other organizations to which she belonged. She especially enjoyed music and activities that promoted the self esteem of children, having served as a long term choir member at the Baptist Church, a private kindergarten teacher in Amherst, business manager of the Amherst branch of the Floyd Ward Dancing School, committee member of the Jr. Woman’s Club that brought music to Amherst County school children before music was established in the public schools, and as a Cub Scout leader.

Throughout her years Dolly enjoyed her children and grandchildren, attending many of their school and college activities no matter where they occurred. As a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Dolly was an inspiration to all.

Dolly appreciated her family and friends for their love and care and most especially her caretaker, Amy along with other staff at Westminster Canterbury. Dolly loved life and will be remembered by all for her beautiful smile, good cheer, and abiding interest in all friends and family members.

Dolly was preceded in death by her husband, L.F., her parents, John and Lucy Ball, and her brothers and sisters, Thomas, Malcolm, Gilbert and John Ball, Dorothy Timberlake and Josesphine Longest. She is survived by a sister, Harriet Howell of Richmond and brother William Ball of Tappahannock; sister’s in laws, Anne Ball, Walkerton, VA and Jean Ball, Tappahannock, VA; her children, John Samuel Payne (Brenda), Amherst; L.F. Payne, Jr.(Susan), Charlottesville and Mary Ball Morton (John), Wilmington, Delaware; her grandchildren, Jack (Cynthia) Morton, David Morton, Graham Payne (Jennifer), Hunter Matthews (Clay), Sara Barber (Matt), Anna Fife (Alex), John Payne (Susan), and Kristy Godsey ; and her great-grand children, Jake Morton, Payne and Levi Matthews, Stewart, Grayson and Elizabeth Payne, Austin and Zoe Payne, and Kenzie Godsey, and beloved nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday March 11, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Whitten’s Funeral Chapel, 3966 South Amherst Highway, Madison Heights, VA. and Funeral service will be held on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at 11:00 AM with the Rev. John Gordon officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Amherst County Historical Museum P.O. Box 741 Amherst VA 24521, Amherst Baptist Church P.O. Box 494 Amherst VA 24521, Amherst County Retired Teachers Assoc., Scholarship Fund 119 Wilkerson Farm Rd, Monroe VA 24574 or Westminster Canterbury, Scholarship Fund, 501 VES Rd Lynchburg VA 24503.