Helen Marie Payne, 94, of Jacksonville went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 6, 2025. She was born March 28, 1930 in Whitesville, West Virginia to the late George and Deborah (Murray) Adkins. Mrs. Payne was a longtime member of Bible Baptist Church in Jacksonville. She spent many years as a military wife following her husband to places such as England, Ohio, Puerto Rico, North Dakota, and Florida before finally settling in Arkansas. She enjoyed playing cards and board games, especially bingo. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many who was always willing to lend a helping hand and truly lived the values of her Christian faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-eight years, Kenneth (Sonny) Payne Sr. in 2020; grandson, Thomas Payne, daughter-in-law Elaine (Howard) Payne, along with ten brothers and sisters.

Left to continue her legacy are her children, Kenneth E. Payne Jr. and wife Jean of Jacksonville, Richard A. (Marissa) Payne of Euless, Texas; grandchildren, Angelina Strickland and April Payne; great granddaughter, Khloe Payne; and sister, Joan Howard of Green Valley, Arizona, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m., Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Visitation will begin thirty minutes prior to the service at 2:00 p.m.  Mrs. Payne will be laid to rest next to her husband in South Charleston, West Virginia.