Dorothy Payne, 72, of Chester, passed away Friday, June 16, 2023 in Fort Smith. She was born December 7, 1950 in Malvern to the late Donald and Georgia (Miller) Friddle. She was the owner/operator of the Chester Café, she and her husband owned Chester Sawmill, and she was part of the city council.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Leonard Payne; and two brothers, Ray and Donnie Friddle.
She is survived by two daughters, Shannon Smith and husband Patrick of Chester, and Holly Seratt and husband Randy of Chester; a stepdaughter, Jennie Cole and husband Steve of SC; a sister, Wanda Baldwin of Chester; seven grandchildren, Marina DeWater, William Seratt (Haley), Caitlyn Bray (Jeremy), Candice Smith (Dax Brown), Wyatt Seratt, Austin Cole, and Cole Seratt; as well as two great-grandchildren, Walker Koperski and Cooper DeWater.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel. Private burial will be at Chester Cemetery in Chester, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.
