Dorothy "Ann" Payne

Dorothy “Ann” Middleton Payne, 88, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at her home in Lakeland, Florida. She had been contending with the effects of advanced stage dementia for the past several months.
Ann was born on July 17th, 1933 in Colquitt, Georgia to Charles Taylor (Lee) Middleton and Georgia May Newberry Middleton. She was the youngest of 7 children. Ann moved to Lakeland in 1956 and started working at McCrory’s Five and Dime Store. Soon after she met and married her husband O’Jean William Payne and they had 2 children. Like many women of her generation, she opted not to work outside the home after her children were born. She raised her children with love and devotion in Lakeland with her husband, O’Jean. They celebrated 64 years of marriage this past July.

Mrs. Payne is survived by her son Ronald Payne, daughter Sheri Payne Thornton (Steve), six grandchildren, Joshua Payne, Rachel Payne Smith, Stephan Thornton, Christian Thornton, Kristopher Payne, Cameron Thornton, two great-grandchildren, Christian Smith and Emersyn Ann Thornton. She is preceded in death by her husband O’Jean who passed recently on January 14th, 2022.

Services will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Family Worship Center, 1350 E Main St, Lakeland, FL 33801. Visitation from 10:30 – 11:00 AM, service at 11:00 AM.

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