Martha Payne Obituary

Martha Mae Payne, 82, of Greenville, SC, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 23, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul Payne, with whom she shared over 28 years of love and companionship.
Born in Greenville, SC, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Lena Williams Brown. A woman of deep and abiding faith, Martha lived her life as a shining example of grace, kindness, and strength. She was a devoted follower of Christ and proud member of the Baptist church formally known as Park Place Baptist Church. She faithfully led a Bible study group for many years, pouring wisdom and compassion into the lives of others.
Martha found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved long walks, journaling her thoughts and prayers, getting lost in a good book, and spending time with her beloved grandchildren. She never missed a single game, recital, or school event. She had a deep appreciation for the beauty of creation and was especially fond of sunrises and sunsets, but her fascination for the moon was unmatched.
Throughout her working years, Martha served her community with a warm smile and a tireless work ethic. She began as a school crossing guard, later working in the school cafeteria and briefly as a substitute teacher. She also brought her nurturing spirit and leadership skills to Chick-fil-A, where she served as a team lead.
Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Wendy Williams (Jamie) and Regina Jeffeaux (Scott); nine grandchildren, Jessica Ward, Megan Norris, Misty Hudson, Erin Kickery, Matthew Payne, Caleb Payne, Avery Jeffeaux, Ross Jeffeaux, and Mason Payne; along with 10 great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her two sons Jeff Payne and Scott Payne; two brothers, William and Leroy; two sisters, Mary and Wanda.
Martha's legacy is one of love, faith, and unwavering devotion to her family and community. She will be deeply missed by all who had the blessing of knowing her.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Northwest, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Northwest Chapel. Burial will be held in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Martha with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory". To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha, please visit our floral store.