Ella Marie Love Milton Payne

July 26, 1947 – December 27, 2023

On Wednesday, December 27, 2023, Ella Marie Love Milton Payne was called home.   After a challenging illness she gained her just reward of a peaceful entrance into eternal rest.

Ella Marie Payne was born on July 26, 1947, to the union of Joseph A. Love and Lue Viney Love in Coldwater, Mississippi.  At a young age, Ella found Christ and was baptized at St. Peter Baptist Church in Arkabutla, Mississippi under the leadership of Rev. W.L. Morris. She was the oldest of twelve children born to her parents and was predeceased in death by her parents and siblings Ricky Love and Mary Milton.

As a child Ella attended Walker Elementary School and in 1966 graduated from Coldwater High School, where she was captain of the majorette team.  While at Coldwater High School she met her high school sweetheart Charles E. Milton and in 1966, they were married. To this union, one daughter Sundra Milton Dolberry, was born.   Two months before the birth of their daughter, she lost her husband in a tragic car accident.

After graduation she became employed as a teacher at Coldwater Head Start.  Ella moved to Memphis in 1967 and worked for General Electric for several years.  In 1969, Ella was blessed to meet and later marry Herbert L. Payne Sr.   To this union one child was born Herbert L. Payne Jr. and she also gained another son, Michael A. Payne.   In 1977, she gained employment with the Tennessee Department of Human Services where she concluded her professional career in 2007 after 30 years of service.  After her retirement she was recruited by Ms. Georgia E. Parks, the principal of John P. Freeman Optional School to join their staff.  Her love for children, her willingness to volunteer, and just wanting to be around her grandchildren was evident to everyone she encountered.  She worked there for several years doing what she loved.

Ella and her family joined Christ Missionary Baptist Church (CMBC) under the leadership of Reverend Eddie L. Currie, where she was an active member of the CMB Singers.  She continued to serve in church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Gina M. Stewart.  After the death of her husband Herbert in 2003, Ella later followed her sisters and other family members and became a member of Brown Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Bartholomew Orr, where she remained until her death.

In addition to her husband of 34 years, Herbert L. Payne Sr., her sons and daughter Herbert, Sundra, and Michael.  Ella also leaves six grandchildren, Robert "Shawn" Payne, Loryn Payne, Devyn Payne, Jeffery Dolberry, Jessica Payne (Deauntae), and Michael Payne Jr.; 4 great-grandchildren, Kylon Payne, Kaeden Payne, Princeton Boram and Amya Johnson; six sisters, Maggie Oliver, Betty Wiggins, Josie Graham, Pearlina Love, Joyce Sipp (Victor) all of Memphis, TN and Virginia Webb (Curtis) of Senatobia, MS; three brothers, Danny Love (Crystal), Joseph Love (Ladonna) and Ronald Love, all of Memphis.  Ella also leaves a special little girl, Shelby Thompson, who she took care of, and a bonus son Najja Proby.  She also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, cousins, and friends far and wide.

Ella was the matriarch of the family, and she will be missed by many, but always in our hearts.