Annie Faye Payne

Ms. Annie was born January 21, in Nacogdoches, Texas and at an early age she moved to Houston, Texas where she graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School. After graduation she enlisted in the United States Army where she was Honorably Discharged in 1963.

Ms. Annie gave her life to Christ at an early age and was a member of the Tribe of Judah division at the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Houston, TX. Her involvement in the Pleasantville Community expanded more than sixty (60) years. Her home was opened to many; including those Friday Night Pitty Pat gatherings. She sat at the table with the young and taught them to never underestimate the “skill” of a lady. She often enjoyed reading, fishing, painting by number, and jigsaw puzzles. She so enjoyed those puzzles sent by her niece Melonie. Her early love for travel continued for over fifty (50) years. Whether she traveled to her cousin Shirley in Nacogdoches or to her sister Jewelene in North Carolina, she was eager to see loved ones on various geographical coasts.

Ms. Annie continued her Medical Military training in her civilian life through Ledbetter Hospital then the Veterans Hospital of Houston where she retired in 2007.

She and William Carl Edwards, III kindled a love story that birthed her eldest child, Carl A. Ruffin. She later married John L. Payne, Sr and to this union three children were born.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Van and Georgia Ruffin, her husband John L. Payne, two brothers, Cecil and Charles Mallory, Sr. and one sister, Alice Ruffin, (Chiplin), one child, James Earl Payne and one grandchild, Brandon Hatchett.

She leaves to cherish her memory her three sons: Carl Ruffin, John L. Payne, Jr., Kelvin R. Payne (Donna); Grandchildren Jerrell D. Hatchett, Marquette Payne, three Great Grandchildren Ciara Strawder, Imani Hatchett, Jerrell Hatchett, Jr., sister Jewelene Parker, brother Archie Thompson and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.