Obituary of Emily Payne

Emily S. Payne Obituary "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day." I Timothy 4:6b-8a Emily Gertrude Payne was born Emily Saunders to Henry & Emily Saunders on March 13, 1916 in the town of Marion, Virginia in Buckingham County. She was the youngest of 3 siblings. During her childhood her family relocated to Tarrytown, NY where Emily grew up and eventually began to raise her own family. Emily was well known to be an intelligent woman. During her adolescence she skipped grades 4 times and was able to catch up to her brother Henry academically. Emily graduated from Washington Irving High School in Tarrytown, NY. Following high school, Emily attended New York University for a few semesters and then she went to work for The U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, DC. Upon her returning to New York Emily worked for Union Carbine, where she was the first black woman to work for this company. Emily move on to Western Union from which she retired from. After retirement Emily continued to work well into her 80s, and was known to do her job well. Emily married St. Clair Collins Payne on February 4, 1949. They settled in Tarrytown, NY where they began raising their children Richard, Clyde, St. Clair, Bruce, Charlene, and Trevor. The family relocated to Brooklyn and eventually Queens where the family stayed for 45 years. She was a Sergeant at Arms for the Ladies Auxiliary VFW in Queens New York. Emily is remembered by her family & friends for being vibrant, and a firecracker and as she would say it "nutty as fruitcake" to her grandchildren. Emily's children always knew their mother to say "Never be afraid to ask something, if the answer is no-nothing changes, but if the answer is yes, you always gain something" and "You're old enough for your wants not to hurt you" Emily graced us with her presence for 99 years before transitioning. She is preceded in her passing by her husband St. Clair Collins Payne Sr, parents- Emily & Henry Saunders; siblings Henry Jr & Edmonia (aunt Eddy); and great granddaughter Essence. Emily leaves behind her loving children Richard, Clyde, St. Clair Jr., Bruce, Charlene, and Trevor; daughter in laws, Phyllis White, Audrey Payne and Joanne Payne; grandchildren- Nadine, Judy, Clyde Jr, Karen, Ronnie, Ayesha, Perquida, Senita, Latel, Tobias (Winston), Emily, Inez, Raylene, and Olivia; and great-grandchildren Rhaming, Paris, Malani, Sienna, Christion, Amaya, Madison, Kyle, Kayla, Bryson, Braylen, Jayden, Jonathan, McKenzie, and Adriana. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and friends whom love her dearly. The family of Emily S. Payne wishes to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your love, prayers and support during this time. A special thanks to Perquida Williams for officiating the services.