Mary Lou Payne

She was born October 20, 1944 in Canton to Ida Mae Dukes Neal of White Oak and Charles Braxton Neal of Polkville. She grew up in rural Mississippi (Ludlow, SoSo, Coxburg, Sandersville, and Forest Hill area of Hinds County). Moving with her family to Franklin, Louisiana in 1960, she graduated from high school there in 1962. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and French in 1965 from Northwestern State College and later taught both at Lanier High School in Jackson. She graduated from The Mississippi College School of Law, joined the firm of Wilkins, Ellington & James, and later, had a private practice. She completed her law career at the Veterans Administration.

She traveled extensively here and abroad. She loved art, theatre, and reading. She especially loved great literature. A lifelong Democrat, she gave freely to charities and liberal causes. She enjoyed her friends and family, and particularly, her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Glenn Pollard and her mother and father. She is survived by her son, Jonathan Austin Payne (America) of Scottsdale, AZ; brothers, Wendell A. Neal (Thalia) of Brandon, MS and Thomas Webber Neal (Lorna) of Fort Meyers, FL; grandchildren, Austin and Ana Sophia Payne; nieces, Sharee Neal Brewer, Kendell Neal Churchwell (Jason), Natalie Neal and Ashley Neal; nephew, Mark Jason Neal (Jennifer); great nephews, Jason Neal and Preston Churchwell; and great niece, Summer Churchwell.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland. Visitation is at 3:00 PM, and the memorial service is at 4:00 PM. Interment will be the following day at Lakewood Cemetery.

Her primary caregivers were Wendell and Thalia. Others went to great lengths to assist in her care and spend time with her during her illness. They include Jonathan Payne, America Payne, Webber Neal, Anne McElvaine, Jim Nelson, Mickey LeFlore, Diane Grantham, Melanie Williams, Terry Aymes, Cecelia Bullock, Stacy McDonald and Deborah Cable. She expressed gratitude to all many times.

The family wishes to thank staff members at The Blake, Camellia Hospice, and Covenant Caregivers for their constant care and many kindnesses.

Mary Lou requested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.