Betty Maria Payne

Betty Maria Payne was born on October 23, 1938, in Omaha, Texas to James and Jonnie Mae Reeves. She was the oldest of six children. Her oldest brother is Will Reeves, second brother Eddie Reeves (deceased), third brother Freddie Reeves (Ora Jean), fourth brother Roy Reeves (Louise), and the youngest brother Henry Reeves. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Elbert Payne, Sr. on August 25, 1960. To their union came one son, Elbert Payne Jr.

She attended college at Jarvis University for three years. After college, Betty moved to Oklahoma City where she began working at Montgomery Ward in their sales department. She also worked at Western Electric (better known as AT&T and Lucent Technologies) as a Layout Operator. Betty was an election board member of Oklahoma Industrial Center and as an election board member, she traveled all over the United States.

Betty is a longtime faithful member to her home church, Greater Cleaves Memorial C.M.E. She attended the People’s Church, both here in Oklahoma City.

Betty loved and cherished all of her extended family and was an avid sports fan. She could be found attending family events as well as cheering for her favorite sports teams.

Those who will cherish Betty’s memory are Elbert Payne Sr., her devoted husband of 63 years, Son Elbert Payne Jr., her godson Charles Naff, her goddaughter Nita K. Jones of Omaha, Texas, uncle Roy and wife Louise Reeves, and many other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers:

• Don Gardner

• Nino Williams

• Tom “Katt” Williams

• Anthony Lewis

• Leslie Lewis

• Sterling Burton

A visitation for Betty will be held Friday, December 8, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, with a celebration of life taking place on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. An interment will occur on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Arlington Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City, OK.