Zelma Marie Payne

Zelma M. Payne, age 86, of Alma, formerly of Ithaca, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Gratiot Medical Center. 

Zelma was born July 4, 1923 in Pompeii on the old Fraker homestead, the daughter of Addison and Ruth (Brattin) DeMott. Following her graduation from high school, Zelma attended Bible College where she graduated with an associate degree. She married Wayland Gray Payne on June 3, 1950 in Pompeii. They enjoyed 55 years together before he preceded her in death on April 28, 2006. Zelma enjoyed music, photography, reading and sewing, and had been a sales representative for World Book Encyclopedia. She was active in the Church of God and had attended in Ithaca, St. Louis, and Alma.

Zelma is survived by her children, Patricia (Douglas) Rudd of Des Moines, Iowa, Leland (Debb) Payne of Petoskey, Juanita (Donald) Hotz of Kansas, and Eric Payne of DeWitt; 5 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; her bother and sisters, James (Berneda) DeMott of Pompeii, Margaret Hughes of Alma, and June Jaje of Johnston, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents and 8 brothers.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 23, at the Ithaca Church of God, with Pastor James Conn and Pastor Steve Wimmer officiating. Interment will follow in Payne Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Memorial contributions may be made to Youth Haven or to the Gratiot County Commission on Aging.