Nellie Louise Payne

Nellie Louise Player Payne was born on February 25, 1929, and passed from this life on February 13, 2024, in Arlington, Texas, having reached the age of 94 years, 11 months, and 19 days. Nellie was born in Gregg Township, South Carolina, on February 25, 1929, to Henry C. Player and Debbie Maddox. Nellie grew up in the Horse Creek Valley and Midland Valley region of South Carolina where her mother worked in the textile industry.

After moving to Dallas, Texas, to stay with her sister, Margaret, Nellie met the love of her life on Christmas Eve, 1948, while working at the toy counter in the M.E. Moses five-and-dime Store in Dallas, Texas. Finis Payne came into the store to see his sister, who also worked at the store, and to buy Christmas presents for his 2 nephews. Nellie and Finis were able to get better acquainted during the holiday season, and in the summer of 1949, Finis proposed to her at a Dallas Eagles baseball game. Nellie was married to Finis Graham Payne, Jr., on October 30, 1949, in Dallas, Texas; they were married 69 years. Nellie was primarily a housewife and homemaker. She did work for a few years as a part time helper in the Country Club Park Day Care Center in Dallas, Texas, owned and operated by her sister, Margaret White. During her husband Finis’ last few out of town construction projects, she worked as his Office Manager.

She dearly loved her 3 grandsons, and took great pride in spoiling them. “Grandmama”, as she was known to them, took great delight in their lives and attended as many activities as she could. She also was able to spend time with her 2 great-grandchildren and her eyes would light up any time she was around them. “Grandmama” loved looking at pictures and watching videos of them as they carved out their place in the Payne family hearts. Nellie was a faithful member of Casa View Baptist Church and attended as long as she was physically able.

Nellie was preceded in death by her husband, Finis Payne; her mother, Debbie Glover; step-father, John C. Glover; Her father, Henry C. Player; her sister, Margaret White and her husband, Buddy White; Her sister, Sylvia Lackey and her husband Thomas Lackey; her brother-in-law Donald Shealy; Her niece, Margo Wegley; her nephew, Thomas White; and her great niece, Kailyn Shealy.

Nellie is survived by her son, Steve Payne and his wife, Wynema; her daughter, Debra, who lovingly cared for both her mom and dad for many years, and her wife, Barbara Maier; her grandson, Steve Payne II and his fiancé Noel McCue; her grandson Seth Payne and his wife, April; her grandson, Spenser and his wife, Courtney; her great-grandson, Jacob Ethan Payne; her great-granddaughter, September Rhodes [Rhodie] Payne; her sister, Anne Shealy; her nephew, Butch Shealy and his wife Regina; her niece, Kay Shealy; her nephew, Carl Shealy and his wife Cathy; her nephew, Scott Shealy and his wife Sylvia; her niece, Shannon Lackey; her nephew, Gilbert [Gib] Lackey and his wife, Dana; her great-niece Marlow Wegley Rhodes; her great-nephew Chris Wegley; her great-nephew, Thomas Lackey and wife Regan; her great-niece, Sara Lackey; and her great-niece, Samantha, Lackey; her great-nephew Joey Shealy; her great-nephew, Ian Shealy; her great-nephew, Kevin Shealy; her great-niece, Kelli Shealy; and her great-niece, Britanie Shealy.

The family would also like to acknowledge their friends and neighbors of 34 years, Joe and Rey Wattron, and their sons, John and Matthew.

Graveside service and burial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday February 24, 2024 at the Long Cemetery in Powderly, Texas, with Rev. Steve Payne officiating.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grovehillfuneralhome.com for the Payne family.