Dianne Payne

Dianne Richardson Payne, 75, of Waco, passed away, Friday, August 9, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 17, 2013 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with a reception to follow at the funeral home.

Dianne was born in Port Arthur to Jesse Eugene Richardson and Vera Mae Norton Richardson. She attended schools in Port Arthur and graduated in 1956. She attended Baylor University where she met and married Jim Payne on November 9, 1957. She received her B.S. degree in Elementary Education in 1959 and her Master’s Degree in 1982. Dianne began her teaching career in 1959 at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. She also taught at West Orange ISD, Port Arthur ,Hull-Daisetta ISD, Grapeland ISD, Crawford ISD and Bruceville-Eddy ISD before retiring in 1993. Dianne ran a Bed and Breakfast and an antique shop from 1986 through 2000 in Eddy and was a member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.
Dianne was preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Vera Richardson; and sister, Frances LaCour of Port Arthur.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Payne of Waco; son Gene Payne and wife Tawny of Dallas; daughter, Karen and husband Doug Weeks of Montgomery; grandsons, Ryan Payne, Jared Payne, Jake Payne, and Christman Weeks; sister, Jeanne Greer of Idaho Springs, CO; brother-in-law, E.E. “Bud” Payne and wife Barbara of Eddy; sisters-in-law, Ann McOmber of Clifton, Charlene Hatidis of Houston, and Wanda Lackey of Talladega, AL; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

We would like to give a special thanks to our good friend Patti McCall, personnel at Lakeshore Village, and Bluebonnet Hospice for their loving and compassionate care. There are no words to express the gratitude that we feel for Patti for the dedication, constant care and total attention that she gave to her friend.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Living Bank, P.O. Box 625, Houston, TX 77265.