Margaret Elizabeth Barnes Payne, at the gentle age of 101, quietly departed this life and entered her eternal rest on Friday, October 27, 2023.  Margaret was born in Wilson County, NC, August 1, 1922, in the home of Rose Lee and Simon Barnes. She was the oldest of seven siblings: Purely, Daniel, Mildred, Simon, Jr., Vivian, Katherine and Carl, Jr. Margaret, her sisters and her brothers, all attended Simon Grove Church, as young children, which had been named after their father. Margaret attended Wilson County Elementary Schools, and finally graduated from Darden High School in Wilson, NC. She then continued her education at Stark's Beauty College, in Raleigh, NC, and graduated as a Beautician. While as a Beautician she joined First Baptist Church in Wilson, NC and worked at her cousin's salon for at least three years. Sometime later, Margaret was invited by another one of her cousins, who lived in New York to move there to live. It was there in New York where Margaret met James Edward Payne, and they were married on July 27, 1947. Three years later, December 8, 1950, James Edward Payne Jr. was born. Shortly afterwards, Margaret attended nursing school at Queensboro Community College, Queens, New York and graduated as an LPN. In 1960, her second son, Michael Payne was born. While in Jamaica Queens, she and her husband attended Rush Temple AME between 1959 and 1971.

In 1972, Margaret started working at Forsyth Hospital in the Coronary Care Unit, where the doctor's said, "She was the best scrub nurse, they had ever had."  In 1972, she also joined Shouse Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in W-S, NC. She told her son Jimmy, that one day while she was walking in the neighborhood, she heard the people singing, and that is what drew her attention to the church. Margaret was a strong leader and officer of the church. She served faithfully, attending conferences, meetings and served on many of the boards and organizations: Willing Workers, Missionary Society, Stewardess Board, and the Chair of the Steward Board. She has taught and trained many of the younger generation that has come through Shouse Temple, how to be an officer of the church. Margaret continued to attend and serve her duties until her health condition would no longer allow her to do so. However, she always remained concerned about the church and connected to her church, she enjoyed receiving home devotional visitations along with receiving her holy communion sacraments.

As a community member, Margaret was a devoted member of the Eastern Star. She also was a devoted member of the Carver Senior Citizens Club, which was organized in 1973 and was still on their membership roster as an honorary member.

Margaret leaves to cherish her beloved and very devoted two sons, James "Jimmy" and Michael Payne of the home; her lovely sister, Vivian Rollins of Pfafftown, NC; also surviving Margaret are Steven Rollins, Patricia Rollins, Anita Wright and Ronald Barnes, Carl Barnes, Jr.; and an additional host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12:30pm until 1:00pm on Wednesday at the Chapel.