Lodell "Lodie" June (Ramsower) Payne

Lodell , also known as “Baby”, “Mommy”, “Lodie/Aunt Lodie”, “Nanny”, “Gra-ma”, “GG” among others, was loved and admired by her family as well as countless friends and associates whose lives she touched while on this earth. She is survived by a loving brother, and her direct descendants number 5 children, 9 grandchildren 11 great-grandchildren plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Lodell was raised in Wharton, Texas in a family with 4 siblings where she met Talbert James “Lee” Payne of Leon Junction, Texas, her future husband who was an athlete for the local county college. Her striking beauty posing in a wedding photo a few months prior was the arrow that stole Lee’s affection resulting in a 42-year romance. From an early age, Lodie displayed a talent for poetry, music, art and performance. Her joys included singing, as well as playing guitar, piano and oboe. Her talents performing at Wharton high school were noticed in far away Houston where she performed live on the radio station known as KPRC. At an early age, her life passion was to be a performer. After she met her future husband, she made a decision to marry and move to the Houston area where she spent the better part of 65 years devoted to and raising a family of 5 children.

While in Houston, Lodell was named “Houston’s Loveliest Mother” by the Houston Press. She has written numerous poems and songs most often about the joys of her family life. She also found time to contribute to church and youth activities for her children and visiting the ill and aging. As if that was not enough, she also helped incorporate and manage a women-owned manufacturing business before starting a business on her own. She enjoyed connecting with people and creating custom interior designs that reflected their personality. Some of her most passionate memories are of bringing joy to seniors in local care facilities.

Family and friends will gather to share memories of Lodie during a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston, where her daughter, Leedell Scott, will lead the Holy Rosary at 5:30 p.m. Graveside services, led by Reverend Niall J. Nolan of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2, at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 1101 Antoine Drive, also in Houston.

Bringing joy to others was a passion in Lodie’s life. The family would be honored by your remembrances of the joy she brought to you. Please add your memories below.