Marlene C. Payne's Obituary
Marlene Payne, 82 years-old, went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 25, 2015. Marlene was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Frank and Dorothy (Baker) Burrows. Her siblings are the late Ronald (Marcia) Burrows, Battle Creek, MI; the late Berniece Bush, Dowagiac, MI; the late Norma Jean Jones, Milwaukee, WI, and, Daniel (Lisa) Burrows, Davison, MI. She was married to Winton T. Payne on November 19, 1954 in Vicksburg, MI. Winton preceded her in death in 1997. Together they raised two daughters, Anita (Charles) Roberts, Lapeer, MI and Deborah (Daniel) Kallman, Grandville, MI. She has six grandchildren: Matthew (Jennifer) Kallman, Joel (Alicia) Kallman, Jacob (Tiffany) Kallman, Nathan (Alexa) Kallman, Zachary Roberts, and Hannah Roberts. She has twelve great-grandchildren: Isaac, Rebekah, Hannah Grace, Noah, Levi, Benjamin, MacKenzie, Timothy Joel (TJ), a great-granddaughter being born on October 1, Aaliyah, and Owen Kallman. Marlene graduated from Vicksburg, MI high school, North Central Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN, attended Ferris State University and graduated from Central Michigan University with a BS in Education. She taught first grade in Hersey, MI for 24 years before her retirement. Marlene has been an active member of First Baptist Church in Big Rapids, working in Sunday School, as a treasurer for a few years, and participated in the music programs: singing in the choir, in groups, and as a soloist. Along with her dear friend Marjorie Brink, she also started a senior group called the Golden Fellowship in 2003. Marlene has been staying at the Florida Holiness Campground in Lakeland, FL for several winters and has many good friends there as well as at Heritage Baptist Church in Lakeland. In 2014, Marlene moved to Rest Haven Homes in Grand Rapids, MI and quickly became a contributing member of this special community. She was quick to volunteer and you could often find her at the "Big House" singing with the choir, playing games, exercising, and going to concerts. A celebration of Marlene's life will be held at the First Baptist Church in Big Rapids on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 11 am. Family will greet friends at the church 1 hour before the service and would also enjoy fellowshipping at a luncheon in Marlene's honor at the church immediately following the service. Interment will be at the Pine Plains Cemetery in Big Rapids, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Big Rapids, MI or Rest Haven Homes in Grand Rapids, MI
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