Kathleen Karen Smith Payne was born on August 25th, 1950, in West Union West Virginia to William Arnold Smith and Dorothy Barbara Lyden. She graduated from Edgewater High School in Orlando Florida and married William James Gilman in 1968. She had two sons, William Jason Gilman and Gregory Brian Gilman. She divorced in 1990. She married Bruce Allen Payne in 2010 and they divorced in 2014.
Kathleen loved her family, friends, and church with all of her heart. She tirelessly served others and had a unique ability to bring people together. She shared Jesus everywhere she went and would often and spontaneously sing her favorite hymns, encouraging others to join in. Kathleen would often weave stories of growing up as a Smith into her conversations, imparting wisdom, endearing strength, and deep devotion to family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren loved staying at Nana’s house because she was “the most fun,” she always had sweet treats, and she was so attentive to them. Her loving presence and influence stamped Christ onto their hearts at tender ages.
She worked in banking and insurance claims until she was 65.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, brother Danny Smith, and her son Gregory Brian Gilman.
She is survived by her son, Jason Gilman and wife Lafaun, granddaughters Sawyer Elizabeth Gilman and Walker Faith Gilman, granddaughter Brittany Nicole Padilla and husband Jordan, great grandchildren Geovany Gregory Padilla and Savana Nicole Padilla, brother Pete Smith and wife Lenora, nieces Pamela Smith, Lisa Smith Baj, Crystal Smith Reyes, Kim Smith, and Shirley Smith-Holder, nephew Danny Smith, great nieces and nephews Kayla Kirby, Matthew Speicher, Jerry Mendez, Anthony Mendez, Elijah Baj, Isabella Reyes, Nathaniel Reyes, Joseph Reyes Jr.,, David Smith, Cessily Smith, Luke Holder, Lisa Holder, and Jessie Fisher, great great niece Adriana Hernandez, and great great nephew Rene Hernandez.
A graveside service will be held Monday, January 4, 2021 at 10 am at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery, 5701 Hwy 277 South in Abilene.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph. 4:32
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thes. 4:17
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14: 2-3
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