Sarah Jane Payne, Lifetime Resident, Dies At Age 87

Mrs. Sarah Jane Payne, widow of Alonzo Payne, died at 11 o'clock last night at her home in Mt. Vernon township at the age of 87 years, two months and 18 days.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 25, at Liberty Methodist church, conducted by the Rev. C. M. Prince and the Rev. Gail Hines.

The body will remain at Myers Chapel until 2 p.m. Tuesday, when it will be removed to the home.

Mrs. Payne was a respected lifetime citizen of Jefferson county. She was the last charter member of the Liberty church.

She was born January 4, 1855 in this county, the daughter of John and Catherine Johnson Waite.

She was united in Marriage with Alonzo Payne, who preceded her in death July 21, 1928.

She is survived by one son, John O. Payne of Mt. Vernon; six daughters, Mrs. Alice Wood of Opdyke, Mrs. Cora Hutchison of Mt. Vernon, Mrs. Effie Auten and Mrs. Myril King of Rupert, Idaho, Mrs. Cecile Summers and Mrs. Ethel Sexton of Mt. Vernon; two brothers, Luther N. Waite of Anna, Ill. and Otis L. Waite of Oakland, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Effie Bright of Oneonta, Alabama; two half-brothers, Walter W. Waite and William N. Waite; 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

SARAH J. PAYNE

Sarah Jane Waite, daughter of John and Catherine Waite was born in Mt. Vernon in Mt. Vernon township of Jefferson County, Illinois, just south of the Liberty school on January 4, 1855. She spent her entire life in Mt. Vernon township, and departed this life at her home near Liberty March 22, 1942, at 11;00 P.M. o'clock, having reached the age of 87 years, 2 months and 18 days.

She was united in marriage to Alonzo Payne at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on October 3 1871. The young couple made their home on a farm near Liberty, and in the following year, namely 1872, they both united with the Liberty Methodist Church as Charter members. The church at that time was a log building. For the past eight years Mrs. Payne has been the last surviving Charter member of the church.

Mr. and Mrs. Payne experienced the hardships of the early days of the settlement of this country, but deriving help from God and with a deep faith in His leadership, they established their home and reared their family. Seven children were born to this union, all of whom survive.

Death came to the home on July 21, 1928, and Mr. Payne was taken to his reward.

Mrs. Payne is survived by her seven children, namely; Mrs. Alice Wood of Opdyke, Illinois; Mrs. Cora Hutchinson, of Mt. Vernin, Illinois; John O. Payne of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Mr. Effie Auten of Rupert, Idaho; Mrs. Myrtle King of Rupert, Idaho; Mrs. Cecile Summers of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Mrs. Ethel Sexton of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

She is also survived by two brothers, namely, Luther N. Waite of Anna, Illinois; and Otis L. Waite, of Oakland, California; by one sister, Mrs. Effie Price of Oneonto, Alabama; by two half brothers: Walter W. Waite and William N Waite both of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grand children and 2 great-great-grand children, and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Payne's life, long and useful as it has been, has been marked by the spirit of our Lord of whom it is said, "He went about doing good." Her readiness to help, her uncomplaining bearing of her own suffering and distress, and her word of kindness and charity for all have made her life as a benediction to her loved ones and friends that shall live for them as long as time shall be for them.

How fitting this tribute can be paid to her:

"MOTHER"

In pain thou gavest me birth. In my infant days I laid upon thy lap, the helpless object of thy ceaseless care. Thou laidest me down to go about the thousand other tasks but to return at my vain cry to cover my cheeks with kisses and to sing some sweet song to lull me to slumber. If my baby feet stumbled, I fell into thy arms. When I fell asleep my last vision was the watchful eye, the last sound the soft whispers of thy prayer. When I awakened, thy face, clothed in radiant hearty beaming, smiling, glowing, greeting me, a rush of love words leaped from they heart while thy arms folded me to thy bosom.

Days, weeks, months, years!!! Ever watching, ever toiling, ever loving, Mother! Thy eyes never wearied, thy arms never failed. Other children came. Some how thou didst find time for all. But lo, a hundred, yea, a thousand, yea, more sat at thy feet. Each one found a place in thy heart. Yet thy love waned not, rather grew, glowed, fed by eternal fires. With all, thou never didst forget me. Had I a burden? It was twice thine. Did my cup fill with sorrow? Thou drankest it to the dregs. Did my feet slip and I fall into sin? Never so deep but that thy arms reached all the way.

Consciously thou has blest thousands. Unconsciously the stream from thy heart brushes untold shores bringing life and joy. The secret? A soul, pure, cultured, strengthened, filled with all the fullness of God, a great soul.

Now thy body, worn, broken, rests. The spirit, clothed with righteousness, covered with the trophies of victory, crowned with the glories of heaven, shines among God's great immortals, as the stars, forever and ever.
My Mother.

Source: Mount Vernon Register News
Date: March 1942
Submitted by Brenda Heriford
Relationship: Great Granddaughter