Mrs. Olevia Arcelia Thomas Payne, age 94, died early Wednesday morning, February 4, 2015, at the Jefferson Davis Community Hospital in Prentiss. Services for Mrs. Payne were held on Saturday, February 14, at Silver Creek MB Church. Pastor Jerry Rogers officiated. Interment was in the Silver Creek Church Cemetery. Laird Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Payne was the oldest daughter of the late Overton and Patient Thomas of Gulfport, MS. At an early age she attended Thirty-Third Avenue School in Gulfport, where she was reared and educated.

Mrs. Payne attended Prentiss Institute prior to earning her teaching degree from Jackson State College. She taught in the Jefferson Davis County School System for almost 40 years. During that period, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi to maintain and update her teaching certificate.

Mrs. Payne met and married the late O.C. Payne of Prentiss and to this union four children were added. After marriage and relocation to Prentiss, Mrs. Payne joined the Silver Creek Church and remained a member until her death. Mrs. Payne served her Lord and Church as originator and organizer of the Baptist Training Union of Silver Creek Church, as well as the first director of that BTU, a seaconess, financial aecretary, program committee member, mission member, and a faithful Sunday school teacher.

Mrs. Payne’s organizational affiliations included, the National and Mississippi Education Associations, Herione of Jericho, Eureka Arts Club, Jeff Davis Triad, IDC Senior Citizens Organization, and the Jeff Davis AARP. As a dedicated educator, mother, and wife, Mrs. Payne’s love and concern for her people was cherished by all and was her trademark.

Mrs. Payne’s survivors include two sons, Otis (Dorothy) Payne, Jr. of Delray Beach, FL, and Alvin D. Payne of Oak Park, IL; two daughters, Warreace S. Payne of Prentiss and Sandra A. Payne of Houston, TX; one sister, Patient G. Thomas of Gulfport; three grandsons; two nieces; three nephews; and a number of other relatives and friends.