Rachel T. Payne

Services are Monday, February 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. from McClain-Hays Chapel. Interment will follow at the Coldwater cemetery. Rev. Clay Winstead will officiate. Visitation will be Monday, February 5, 2024 from 12 noon until service time at McClain-Hays. Rachel Townsend Payne was born June 21, 1937, to Raleigh Norris (R.N.) & Bertha Ricks Townsend in Philadelphia, Mississippi. She graduated from Coldwater School in 1954 with the distinguished honor of valedictorian. She married Jack T. Payne on November 22, 1957. Jack and Rachel began their marriage in Philadelphia, Mississippi and settled in Caledonia, Mississippi. Rachel attended East Mississippi Community College, earning a degree in business technology in 1986. During her career, Rachel proudly worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Columbus, Mississippi on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Her co-workers became like a second family, and she loved them dearly. She retired from the Corps after 18 years of service. When she was off-duty Rachel loved fishing, spending time with her family and she enjoyed watching Jeopardy. Rachel was a witty and wonderful southern cook with a great sense of humor, and she made every dish with love for her family and friends who often gathered around her table. Most of all she was a true Proverbs 31 woman, her children arise and call her blessed. Rachel stepped into heaven on February 2, 2024, at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Annie Mary Collins and Christine T. Smith, her husband Jack Payne, and her granddaughter Emily Payne. She is survived by her children James A. Payne (Lori), John L. Payne (Stacey), Ed E. Payne (Rosemary) and Scott A. Payne (Christy), grandchildren Katy Polk (Garrett), Jack Payne (Leslie), Clint Payne (Alexis), Hannah Gunter, Jennifer Welborn (Brett), and Lauren Payne, great-grandchildren Kylie & Olivia Buenrostro, Elijah Payne, Leah Kate Welborn and Eliza Aubrey Payne, sisters Gayle Alford & Jewel Spivey and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers include Jack Payne, Clint Payne, Brett Welborn, Michael Gregory, Paul Payne, Shane Alford, Ryan Turner & Greg Coker. Honorary Pallbearers include Mark Mason, Allen Morton Hank Vaughn. In way of remembrance, the family welcomes flowers or donations to the Coldwater Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.