Cheryl Johnson Payne was born in Athens, Georgia to Marvin Johnson and Clara Lunceford Johnson on July 19, 1956. She was the older of two children. Her early childhood was spent in Athens, Georgia. For many years she was a member of First AME Church (with her deceased mother, Dr. Clara Lunceford Johnson). Later, she joined Ebenezer Baptist Church with her husband.
Cheryl was educated in Athens public school system. Following graduation from Clarke Central High School in 1974, she attended Morris Brown College with a degree in Elementary Education. She also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated while at Morris Brown. Cheryl went on to get her Master’s Degree in Special Education—an area in which she spent the next thirty-five years teaching. She improved the lives of so many students with her innovative teaching and her desire to work with each student’s needs. She taught the whole child-not just their special needs. Beyond the Master’s Degree, she received an Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2009; however, she continued teaching children with disabilities that she loved so dearly.
In 1981, Cheryl married the love of her life, Bruce L. Payne—the man who loved her so completely and to this union, three children were born. She is survived by her husband of almost forty years; three children: Jada Payne Smith (Stiev) of Jacksonville, Florida, Amanda L. Payne of McDonough, Georgia, and Bruce L. Payne of Stockbridge, Georgia. Cheryl leaves behind five loves of her life, her grandchildren: Stiev, Sean, and Sophia Smith; Amya Elizabeth Payne-Campbell and Jade Marie Payne. She is also survived by her brother, Ronald M. Johnson, of Jacksonville, Florida.
Others left to mourn her passing are an aunt, Elizabeth Stinson, Nashville, TN; half-brothers, Alvin and Tommy; half-sisters, Pam and Brenda Johnson; a number of cousins, nieces and nephews in the Atlanta, Georgia area and in Tennessee. She will be missed by her father-in-law, Robert (Skip) Payne; three sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; and a host of friends, especially Yolanda McFadden, a lifelong friend. She was so loved by her students, co-workers, and friends. She shall indeed be missed.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Clarke Central High School Mel Auditorium with Reverend Dr. Winfred M. Hope officiating.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
