Lanetra Payne

Lady Lanetra Payne “Netra”, daughter of McKinnley Smith, and Mary Belle Anderson-Hopkins was born March 8, 1965 in Houston, Texas. She was an attendant of HISD: Mading Elementary, Albert Thomas Middle School, and Ross Shaw Sterling High School. While in school Lanetra participated in various sports including basketball and track & field. However, cheerleading was her most favorite sport. She graduated from University of Houston with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. Later on, she attended Cornerstone University where she earned her Doctorate’s degree in Theology. On November 18, 1989 she married the love of her life Herbert J. Payne and to this union was born a beautiful daughter named Jasmine M. Payne. Lanetra was baptized at an early age and loved God with all of her heart. She was a member of East Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. H.B. Samson. She also attended New Mt. Olive Baptist Church (Rev. Walter Cooper) and Evangelist Temple COGIC (Bishop Rufus Kyles Jr). Lady Payne served at her local churches as a choir member, praise dancer, and a Sunday school teacher. It wasn’t until October 8, 2006 that both Elder Herbert and Lanetra Payne accepted the assignment to pastor Re-Birth Temple COGIC. While under the Texas Greater South East #1 jurisdiction (Bishop Johnny A. Tates) she served as the State Registrar and as an adjutant sister. Lady Payne was privileged to serve as armor bearer to Lady Louisa Kyles (TSE1) and Lady Lee Tates (TGSE1). Lady Lanetra Payne also served as National Adjutant in The Church of God in Christ Inc. Furthermore, in March 2017, she was ordained as an Evangelist Missionary. From 1992 to 2016 she was employed by Allstate Insurance as a Senior Claims Adjuster. After retiring from Allstate Insurance she served in Lamar ISD as a substitute teacher from 2017 to 2019. She enjoyed spending time with her grandson Zaire X. Ferrell and shopping. Lanetra also took pleasure in self-maintenance including getting her hair and nails done. She adored working in the ministry with her husband and daughter. Lady Lanetra Payne is preceded in death by her brother Terrance J. Smith. She leaves to cherish: her husband for 29 ½ years (Dr. Herbert J. Payne), her daughter (Jasmine Payne), her grandson (Zaire Ferrell), her parents McKinnley Smith (Ruth) and Mary B. Hopkins (Luke), her sister: NaTasha Smith, her brothers Gregory Minor(Rosalyn), Errol Trent Smith, Ivan Battles, and Dewayne Battles. She also leaves to cherish a host of brother and sister-in-law’s, nieces, nephews, friends, her God children: Jazzlyn Sharkey & Michael Williams Jr., her local Church members (Re-Birth Temple COGIC), The Galveston District along with the Texas Greater Southeast First Jurisdiction.