Lenora Maxine Payne

Lenora Maxine Payne (also known as Miss Maxine, Mac, Mama, Grandma, and Aunt Mac), of Chapin, SC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Lexington Extended Care. Born September 22, 1935, in Farmerville, Louisiana, she was the daughter of the late Edwin Ramsey and Ola V. Williamson Ramsey. She was married to the love of her life, Billy Ray Payne, for 50 years until his death in 2003.

She loved her family. She loved her flowers. And she loved to cook. She welcomed everyone we brought into her home with open arms and always cooked enough to feed them all. She gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and never had harsh words for anyone—except maybe Daddy occasionally if he complained about the food.

Maxine is survived by her children, Alton Payne (Sandra) of Chapin, Rose Gunter (Bobby) of Gilbert, George Payne (Teresa) of Irmo, Cyndi Langlois (Jeff) of Chapin, Connie Okazaki (Ken) of Chapin; and daughter-in-law, Susie Payne of Salley.

She was a loving and devoted Grandma to Billie Payne Rogers, Lori Payne Pool, Amber Payne, Jessica Payne, Allen Payne, Bobby Gunter, Jr., Greg Gunter, Brent Gunter, Kristi Langlois Paschall, Christopher Langlois, Jacqui Okazaki, Jeni Okazaki, and Cruz Okazaki.

She also leaves behind 28 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Her surviving Farmerville, Louisiana, family includes her brother, Harvey “Boots” Ramsey, his wife Judy, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, David Payne of Salley; her brother, Royce “Preacher” Ramsey; and her sister, Bobbie Jean Ramsey Norris.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel, located at 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, South Carolina 29063.

The funeral service will follow at the same location, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The burial service will be private.

“To love a person is to learn the song in their heart and sing it to them when they have forgotten.”

Donations in memory of Maxine may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.