Verna Eileen Balch Payne, a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, at the age of 93. Born on December 1, 1932, in Santa Susana, California, she was the cherished daughter of Everet Owen and Goldie (Moffett) Renfro.
As a teenager, Verna worked at Woolworth's and served as president of her chapter of the Future Homemakers of America. She later owned her own Mode O'Day franchise, a fitting venture for a woman born the same year the company was founded. An avid seamstress, Verna shared her love of sewing with her children and even her grandchildren, and many of them still carry the skills she taught them.
Verna lived a life full of dedication, faith, and community spirit. She spent many years serving others through her work at Walmart, from which she retired, and brought her warmth to the Order of the Eastern Star. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, reflected in her active and devoted membership at Greenwood First Baptist Church.
Her greatest joy was her family, who will forever carry her memory in their hearts. She is survived by her devoted children: her son, Randall Balch and his wife, Donna; and her daughters, Joy Cooper and her husband, Mark, and Jan Organ and her husband, Mark. Her love extended warmly to her stepsons, Charles "Chuck" Payne and his wife, Kathy, and Mitch Payne and his wife, Linda. She also leaves behind her dear sister, Deena Coker, along with five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who brought immense brightness to her life. Verna will also be deeply missed by her many friends and the caring community at Brookfield Assisted Care, where she shared many happy moments.
Verna has been reunited in rest with her parents, as well as her beloved husbands, Delbert L. Balch and Charles G. Payne. She was also preceded in death by her stepdaughter, Rebecca Payne, and her dear sisters, Barbara Woolley, Livona Anderson, and Mildred Beaver.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a viewing and visitation on Wednesday, November 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood. A graveside service to celebrate her life and legacy will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Booneville, under the gentle direction of McConnell Funeral Home.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Bryston Finley, Parker Scroggins, Neil Scroggins, Jason Finley, Mark Organ, Mark Cooper, Brian Hunt.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that meaningful memorial donations be made to Mercy Hospice, 6801 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903.
To share a treasured memory, offer comfort, or leave a message of condolence for the family during this time, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
