1916
Olive
2012
Olive Payne
July 1, 1916 — August 7, 2012
MEMORIAL SERVICE:2:30PM FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2012BRANDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHBRANDON, MSVISITATION:5:00PM UNTIL 7:00PM THURSDAY, AUGUST 09, 2012OTT AND LEE FUNERAL HOMEBRANDON, MS1;30PM UNTIL 2:30PM FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2012BRANDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHBRANDON, MS
Olive Mae Kennedy Payne
Brandon, MS
Olive Mae Kennedy Payne, 96, of Brandon, MS, died in Memphis, TN, on Tuesday, August 7, 2012. The daughter of Olive Mae Shirley and Frank Semmes Kennedy, she was affectionately known throughout her life as Bunchie, a nickname given to her by her father.
Bunchie was born in Meridian, MS, on July 1, 1916, and she graduated from Meridian High School at 16 years of age. She attended Blue Mountain College, where she majored in music. She then returned to Meridian where she met and fell in love with her husband, Joel G Payne. They married on May 15, 1938 and lived most of their lives in Brandon, MS, where they raised their three children. She taught piano in her home as well as in the Johns, Florence, and Brandon schools. Her pupils were active in playing in the mass piano concerts and many other piano competitions. For 42 years she was the dedicated organist for the Brandon Presbyterian Church, where she and her family were active members. She was a member of several bridge clubs, the Jackson Music Teachers Association, Music Forum , and a charter member of Brandon Garden Club.
Bunchie was first and foremost a dedicated wife and mother, and she took seriously her task of modeling a principled Christian life to her children and later to her grandchildren. She will best be remembered as a spunky, vivacious person with a smile on her face and gift in her hands. She was often referred to as “the life of the party” due to her ability to entertain friends and family with her quick wit, hilarious stories, colorful objects from her world travels, delicious smells coming from her always-bustling kitchen, and fresh arrangements of glads from the garden her husband lovingly tended. She enjoyed sharing her love and knowledge of music, cooking, and gardening with anyone who wanted to learn.
Bunchie was also a high-spirited, independent woman who cultivated a strong sense of adventure early in her life from travels she took as a child. As an adult, she traveled extensively to far-flung places all around the globe such as China, Cuba, Australia, and the Holy Land. She made numerous trips to Europe and Canada, and even hosted friends she made in Germany in her own home in Brandon. She passed her love of travel to her grandsons and granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years in 1985, and two brothers John and Frank , her son-in-law Dr Richard M Nowell. She is survived by her children, Mrs. Jo Ann Nowell of Jackson, MS, Mrs. Shirley McGraw (Steve) of Memphis, TN, Dr. Joel Payne, Jr (Susan) of Ridgeland, MS, eight grandchildren, Ric Nowell, John (Lisa) Nowell, Melanie (Dana) Piasecki, Meredith (Darren) Bishop, Julie Butler, Amy (Clay) Richards, and Laura (Adam) Pennebaker and twelve great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Mrs. Judy Kennedy of Meridian, Ms.
Visitation will be at Ott and Lee Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-7 PM and on Friday at the Brandon Presbyterian Church from 1:30-2:30 with memorial service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to "Joel Payne Scholarship Fund" (Brandon Presbyterian Church) or Blue Mountain College.
Olive Mae Kennedy Payne
Brandon, MS
Olive Mae Kennedy Payne, 96, of Brandon, MS, died in Memphis, TN, on Tuesday, August 7, 2012. The daughter of Olive Mae Shirley and Frank Semmes Kennedy, she was affectionately known throughout her life as Bunchie, a nickname given to her by her father.
Bunchie was born in Meridian, MS, on July 1, 1916, and she graduated from Meridian High School at 16 years of age. She attended Blue Mountain College, where she majored in music. She then returned to Meridian where she met and fell in love with her husband, Joel G Payne. They married on May 15, 1938 and lived most of their lives in Brandon, MS, where they raised their three children. She taught piano in her home as well as in the Johns, Florence, and Brandon schools. Her pupils were active in playing in the mass piano concerts and many other piano competitions. For 42 years she was the dedicated organist for the Brandon Presbyterian Church, where she and her family were active members. She was a member of several bridge clubs, the Jackson Music Teachers Association, Music Forum , and a charter member of Brandon Garden Club.
Bunchie was first and foremost a dedicated wife and mother, and she took seriously her task of modeling a principled Christian life to her children and later to her grandchildren. She will best be remembered as a spunky, vivacious person with a smile on her face and gift in her hands. She was often referred to as “the life of the party” due to her ability to entertain friends and family with her quick wit, hilarious stories, colorful objects from her world travels, delicious smells coming from her always-bustling kitchen, and fresh arrangements of glads from the garden her husband lovingly tended. She enjoyed sharing her love and knowledge of music, cooking, and gardening with anyone who wanted to learn.
Bunchie was also a high-spirited, independent woman who cultivated a strong sense of adventure early in her life from travels she took as a child. As an adult, she traveled extensively to far-flung places all around the globe such as China, Cuba, Australia, and the Holy Land. She made numerous trips to Europe and Canada, and even hosted friends she made in Germany in her own home in Brandon. She passed her love of travel to her grandsons and granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years in 1985, and two brothers John and Frank , her son-in-law Dr Richard M Nowell. She is survived by her children, Mrs. Jo Ann Nowell of Jackson, MS, Mrs. Shirley McGraw (Steve) of Memphis, TN, Dr. Joel Payne, Jr (Susan) of Ridgeland, MS, eight grandchildren, Ric Nowell, John (Lisa) Nowell, Melanie (Dana) Piasecki, Meredith (Darren) Bishop, Julie Butler, Amy (Clay) Richards, and Laura (Adam) Pennebaker and twelve great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Mrs. Judy Kennedy of Meridian, Ms.
Visitation will be at Ott and Lee Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-7 PM and on Friday at the Brandon Presbyterian Church from 1:30-2:30 with memorial service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to "Joel Payne Scholarship Fund" (Brandon Presbyterian Church) or Blue Mountain College.
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