Ruth Owenby Payne

Ruth Owenby Payne, age 88, passed away Saturday, October 11, 2014. Mrs. Payne was a native of Cobb County, the middle child of 12 born to James A. and Ola Owenby of Kennesaw, and the widow of the late Rev. Lewis C. Payne. She is survived by two children: John P. Payne (wife, Angela), of Acworth, and Judy Payne Schlangen (husband, Charles), of Marietta. She has two surviving sisters, Carole Payne of Kennesaw and Barbara Flynn of Summerville, SC.

Many things can be said of Ruth: she was a loving and dedicated wife and mother; she had a kind heart and was always helping someone. She was the kind of friend anyone would be fortunate to have. Her family and friends enjoyed her cooking, like turkey and cornbread dressing, fried apple pies, and scratch biscuits. During the “big garden days,” she canned green beans and other garden items, pickled peaches and made blackberry jelly.

She was active in the churches her husband pastored, teaching Sunday School, leading in VBS and missions organizations and various other ministries. She taught the Ladies Class at Calvary Baptist Church of Acworth for many years. She did not work outside the home until later in life. She did in-home care of elderly folks, and later started her own cleaning service, with her main job being at the law offices of Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele in Marietta.

For many years after her husband’s passing, she remained physically active and independent. Despite experiencing declining health in her last months, her sweet and gracious spirit persisted until the Lord called her home.

Services will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 11:00am from the chapel of Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, Kennesaw, GA. with Rev. Jim Chidester, Rev. Pat Williams and Rev. Charles Mauro officiating. Burial will follow in the Kennesaw City Cemetery. Family will be receiving friends on Monday, October 13, 2014 from 4-7pm at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, Kennesaw, GA.

Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, 2950 Cobb Pkwy Kennesaw, GA 30152, 770-422-7299, has charge of services for Ruth Owenby Payne.