Anna Elizabeth Payne
July 12, 2009
Anna Payne, 86, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2009 at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at Glendale Cemetery.
Anna was born April 4, 1923 to Mildred and Elmer Barker. She was a member of Bethel AME Church for over 75 years. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who loved spending time with her family.
Anna is survived by her husband, Jimmy; daughter, Melanie (Willie) Lahart of Newton; her son Jon (Kristel) Payne of Des Moines; Her grandchildren: Kirsten (Petr Vaseck) Vaskova of Rosemarkie, Scotland, Amber Payne of Dover, New Hampshire, Sydney Slater of Newton; Mark Lahart of Newton, Joseph (Becky) Lahart of Cedar Rapids, Brenda Lahart of St. Charles, Catherine (Will) Ryczek of Kirksville, MO, and Ellen Birech of Cedar Falls; her great grandchildren: Freya Vaskova of Rosemarkie Scotland, Maya and Alanna Lahart of Cedar Rapids, and Nickelle Birech of Cedar Falls; her sister-in-law Terri Jewett; her niece Anita Swanson of Des Moines; her nephews: James (Debra) Thomas of Connecticut, and John (Juanita) Thomas of Illinois; and her special friends Rhoda (David) Stroud of Minneapolis, MN, and Ginger (Von) Rawley of Baltimore, MD. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, James "Kirby" Payne; her daughter Roxann Payne; her grandson Jason Payne; her sister Viola Fulchon; and her brother Elmer Barker.
Memorial contributions may be made to the John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines, or the Monarch Wing at Skiff Medical Center in Newton.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Shannon Behrendsen
07/15/2009
I met Nana when I was seventeen and working at Hy-Vee with Jon. She was so warm and welcoming to me. As the years passed and I saw her she always had family on her mind. She asked about my children and what they were doing and always had a hug for us all. When I think of Nana it always makes me think of how she valued her family and encouraged me to value mine. She was a lovely lady inside and out and she will be missed.
Carol Hooker McLachlan
07/14/2009
She was always my "second Mama". When I graduated from college and moved to Des Moines, as a friend of her son, Jimmy (Kirby) from college, I was welcomed into her home and family with such warmth and love, she enveloped me in it. I spent many hours in her kitchen watching her cook and learning how she made those delicious meals, that always included me when I was there.
A special gift from her was teaching me to sew. My mother had tried to do this when I was in high school without success. But "Mama" had the patience to help me deal with my frustration and the calm that helped me understand that you could do anything, you just had to stay with it and do it. This gift has served me all my lifetime and now is one of my passions - quilting. Every quilt I make has her touch in it.
For Melanie, we are as "sisters" by your Mama having drawn me into your family with her love and treating me as a daughter. I treasure our "sisterhood" and with it wish you the Peace, Rest, and Comfort that comes from God to your heart and through the friends and family that surround you now.
For all of the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you, as we each seek the Peace and Comfort Anna/Nana/Mama would want for each of us.
vicki
07/15/2009
mealanie and family,
I wish to extended my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. I heard many wonderful stories about Mrs. Payne. You were blessed to have such a remarkable woman in your lives. I hope that you find peace in that she is with the Lord now, watching over all of you.
Sincerely,
Vicki
Kathryn Shoemaker
07/14/2009
Although I never got the chance to meet Ana, I felt that I knew her and all the wonderful gifts she not only gave to her family, but to others, like my son, George. She did however, send me a Christmas card every year and on some occasions that was one of the few I received. So I can see how thoughtful
she was of others. What a wonderful memory for her family. Peace Be With You. Kathy Shoemaker, Atlanta, Ga.
Vijaya & Tracy Rogers
07/14/2009
We loved her with all our heart. She was a mother to me and will forever be in my heart.
George Shoemaker
07/14/2009
She was never Anna or Mrs. Payne to me, she was always Nana. As Jon and I became friends our sophomore year at Dowling some 28 years ago we became like brothers and Nana became like a mom. She always made me feel welcome in her home and always asked about my family, remembering who lived where and who was doing what in their lives. Underneath her warm, jovial personality was a very strong woman. One who was always strong for her family. With that strength came wisdom and a gentle touch to pass it along. She could tell you about setting life goals and finishing what you started without you knowing you were getting a lesson. I learned something from her.
I remember making her laugh onetime. Jon and I were in his room, reading auto and motorcycle magazines. He was sitting in his chair and I was on the bed with Droopy, the family Pekinese. Nana came in and said, Jon, get HIM off the bed! I knew she was referring to the dog but I jumped up anyway and said, Sorry Nana. Her laughter permeated the room.
Nana touched all of us in her own special way and we will all miss her. I am glad I got the chance to call her Nana.
With Love,
George Shoemaker
Berryville, VA