Dorothy King Myers Payne

Dorothy King Myers Payne, 82, of Richmond and native of Urbanna, Virginia, passed away after a noble battle with cancer on October, 10, 2021. She was the daughter of Walter King “Mike” Myers and Dorothy Dix Myers of Urbanna. She graduated from Mary Washington College in 1960, followed by a 35-year career teaching English to hundreds of students at both Henrico and Mills E. Godwin High Schools in Henrico County. Dot was an avid reader, crossword puzzler, master at making lists, shopaholic, and loved to lunch and dine out every chance she could. She spent hours by the pool every summer at Kanawha Recreation Association and was a member of The Tuckahoe Woman’s Club. Dot was crowned Miss Middlesex in 1958 then represented the county in the Miss Virginia pageant the following summer. She loved returning to Urbanna every year for the annual Oyster Festival. She especially looked forward to spending “beach week” at the Outer Banks with her children and grandchildren. She remembered every detail of every person she ever met and leaves behind many friends and family she was unable to visit in recent months. She had numerous nicknames throughout her life but the one she loved the most was “Gaga”. She is survived by her high school sweetheart and devoted husband of 61 years, Edward Garland Payne, Jr.; two children: C. Michael Payne and his wife, Lee Thompson Payne, Kelley Payne Swain and her husband L.J. Swain; four grandchildren: Lindsey Swain DiStanislao and her husband, William Andrew DiStanislao, Sydney Lee Payne, Sarah Ryan Swain, and Andrew Edward Payne. The family invites you to celebrate Dot’s life at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 24, at 211 Ross Road, Richmond. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com for the family.