Sally McDowell Payne of Birmingham, AL, went to be with the Lord on May 29, 2026, at the age of 91. She was born on February 1, 1935 to Nora and Ollie McDowell, in Clanton, AL. She left Clanton to work in Birmingham, and there she met the love of her life, Joseph Harold Payne. They were happily married for 68 years. While raising her children, she always taught children in Sunday School. After some medical issues, she went back to school at Birmingham Southern Adult Studies and then taught for 9 years at Dawson Daycare. Being around children always gave her great joy.
Sally is survived by her husband, Joseph Harold Payne, and three children: Karen Payne Krekelberg, Russell David Payne, and Nanette Payne Shackelford. Also survived by 4 grandchildren: Joseph Leo Krekelberg (Rylee); Rebecca Leigh McSwain (Alex); P.J Shackelford, and Jon Shackelford. And her two precious great-granddaughters, Amelia Mae McSwain and Abigail Leigh McSwain; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Nora McDowell and Ollie McDowell, siblings: Marzelle Edwards, Carl McDowell (Virginia), and Delene Penton (Hershel).
There will be a visitation at Shades Mountain Baptist Church (https://www.shades.org) on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 11:30 am. A Celebration of Sally's life will follow at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests making donations in Sally's memory to LoveInAction-Birmingham. (https://www.loveinactionbham.org/donate).
