Darla Randolph Payne, age 60 of Whiteville, Tennessee, departed this life Tuesday night, June 3, 2014 at home.
Ms. Payne was born in Memphis to Oleta Randolph, who survives, and the late Sherman Franklin Randolph. She lived most of her life in Whiteville and was a member of Whiteville First Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School, VBS and Nursery teacher. As a teenager, she worked in gift wrapping at Ruth's Dollar Store in Whiteville, and later, she worked for CCA in Mason, Tennessee from April 21, 1997 until January, 2014. She was also a Mary Kay consultant.
She was very active in the community. She was a member of the Rook and Bunco Clubs in Whiteville, the Whiteville 600 Club, Seasoned Sisters in Memphis, and the Eastern Star.
She was a former Strawberry Queen and enjoyed playing basketball and tennis. A fond memory of hers was playing tennis with Lawrence May, former mayor of Whiteville, when she was younger. She loved arts & crafts and was a member of the "Stamping Up" Club, in which she enjoyed making gift cards, etc. She also enjoyed making jewelry, gardening, yard work, flowers, oil painting, interior decorating and spending time with animals.
Perhaps most importantly, her family states that she was a very generous person who was always ready to help those in need. She was a loyal friend and companion and her struggle with cancer was an inspiration to many.
In addition to her mother, survivors include four sisters, Patricia Ney (Donald) of Maytown, Pennsylvania, Joleta Raines (Marvin) of Whiteville, Mary Randolph of Whiteville, and Sherrie Lewis of Whiteville; a sister-in-law, Girlene Hopper of Toone; a brother, Mike Randolph (Patricia) of Whiteville; her stepdaughter, Randie Payne of Jackson; fourteen nieces & nephews, twenty-four great-nieces & nephews, and eight great-great-nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father; a brother, Robert Hopper; a son, John Robert Payne, Jr.; and great-nephew, Seth Searles.
Donations made in Ms. Payne's memory may be sent to Whiteville First Baptist Church or to the American Cancer Society.