Aleetha Lucille Payne

Aleetha was born on October 30, 1930 in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Vance H. and Myrtle (Reeves) Tays. She married Dallas Payne on January 1, 1948 and he preceded her in death on January 12, 1989. Aleetha was a member for over 60 years of Parkside Church of the Nazarene which is now Gateway Community Church. She worked for National Lock and drove a Rockford School bus until she was 72 years old. Aleetha loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and was a very devoted, faithful individual and was the rock of the family, she will be missed by all who loved her.

Aleetha is survived by her daughters: Linda Specht, Donna (Glen) Hall, Sr and Kathy (Mansing) So; daughter-in-laws Linda Payne and Debra Payne; ten grandchildren, many great- grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren; two brothers David and Lloyd Tays.

Aleetha was preceded in death by her parents, sons William and Robert, brother Claude and sisters Mary Francis and Betty.

A service to celebrate Aleetha’s life will be 2:00 pm Thursday February 16, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home 8800 N. Alpine Road in Machesney Park; visitation will be from 1:00 pm until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent to www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com