Sidney Margaret Payne

Sidney Margaret Payne was born on August 29, 1929, in McMinnville, Tennessee, to Margaret Trail and Robert Burns Potter. Sidney attended the University of Tennessee where she was the first pledge of the newly established Pi Beta Phi fraternity. When her family was transferred to San Antonio, Sidney transferred to Trinity University where she was in the first graduating class of the new San Antonio campus. Obtaining a BS degree in Elementary Education, Sidney developed a lifelong love of teaching young children.

On February 2, 1952, she married Cyrus J. Payne; they were married for 65 years before his death in 2017. Sidney and Jack had known each other growing up in Tennessee and years later Jack’s flight for the Air Force brought him to San Antonio for one day, and while he was touring downtown, he found himself at the same bus stop as his high-school sweetheart, Sidney. After their marriage, Sidney taught first grade in Memphis, Tennessee, while Jack attended the UT dental school and again eight years later, they returned to Memphis for him to attain an MS in Orthodontics. Sidney was soon distinguished as the Teacher of the Year for Memphis public schools; she remained in touch with many of her devoted students through the year.

Known for their love of children, Sidney and Jack were part of the Sunday worship team for the two-year-old’s at MacArthur Park Church of Christ for many years. They always left with big smiles and talked animatedly of how darling the “twos” were. After worship Sidney was sought out by the Mac children every week—they knew she would have yummy treats in her purse! Sidney relished working in the Care cottage forming strong relationships with her fellow church members and helping those in need. She could always be spotted sitting in church on Sundays wearing one of her many colorful hats.

Sidney’s great joy in life were her grandchildren, Charles and Meg. They knew and loved her as Poppy, and she would do anything for them, whether it was lying on the floor all day playing trains and cars, My Little Pony, or sleeping out in the fully furnished playhouse. They traveled often to New York City at Christmas to see the Rockettes and all the decorations, to First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, and to places far and wide in search of adventure.

Christmas was always special in her home as Sidney festooned every room from top to bottom. Guests were greeted by a seven-foot Santa Claus on the front porch. Sidney made holidays and birthdays special for her family and set the standard for traditions now followed by her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Her legacy of celebrating the happy moments of life is cherished by all those fortunate enough to have known her.

Sidney was active in the San Antonio Dental Alliance, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, Medina Children’s Home/Arms of Hope, and a faithful member of MacArthur Park Church of Christ for over 55 years.

Sidney Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Carolyn Potter Yarbrough, and her precious baby great-granddaughter, Scarlett McNeel Noe, and the love of her life, Dr. Cyrus Jack Payne. Sidney is survived by her daughter Mary (Polly) Payne Noble and her husband, Charles Henry (Hank) Noble III, granddaughter Margaret (Meg) McNeel Noble Noe and her husband, William Gray Noe, grandson Charles Henry Noble IV and his wife, Christina Elise Noble, great-grandsons William Gray Noe Jr, Palmer Henry Noe, and Charles Henry Noble V, great-granddaughters Philippa (Pippa) Inzer Noe, and Scarlett Maverick Noe, Sidney’s brothers Robert Potter and his wife Diane, Alan Potter and his wife Xuan, and many much-loved and very dear nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Sidney lived at Adante Memory Care for over eight years. She was lovingly cared for by many. The family would especially like to thank Martha Morales, Jake Lopez, Alicia Cardenas, Alejandra Campa, Elizabeth Moran, Jerry Villalobos, Cindy Baltierra, and Tammy Albert, along with her caregiver, Hera LaRue.

To those of you wishing to honor Sidney/Poppy, please take your family on a picnic and spend time together during the holidays in lieu of flowers!

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at MacArthur Park Church of Christ, 1907 N.E. Loop 410 78217. A private graveside service will be held.