Mary Payne

Mary Lou Lang Payne entered rest on January 1, 2023, at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX. She was born in Dallas, TX, the second of seven children to the late Ira and Elizabeth Lang. Mary Lou confessed her faith in God at an early age and was baptized at Bethel United Methodist Church. She graduated from Booker T Washington High School in Dallas, TX.

Mary was a faithful member at Bethel United Methodist Church where she served on the usher board for more than 20 years and later served on the finance committee. She later worshipped at Greater Mount Shiloh Baptist church, Dallas, TX under the leadership of Pastor Stephen L. Searl Sr., always serving with a genuine and godly compassion.

Mary worked in the food service industry for over 50 years. She retired from Southern Methodist University as a dietician.

She met and married Joseph Payne on September 8, 1990. They enjoyed a life of love and travel; cruising was their passion. Seeing the world was the priority on their bucket list.

Mary’s early childhood experiences were grounded in strong family ties and values, which helped to lay the foundation for a life of love and compassion for others and she reflected this daily. Her walls of pictures demonstrated her love for family and friends as she captured the memories and stories. Mary loved cooking and baking. She loved gifting her signature “sweet potato cakes” to loved ones during the holidays.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Ira and Elizabeth Lang, her husband Joseph Payne, her brother Ira Lang Jr., sisters Audrey Coleman, Helen Lang, Beverly Lang, and Ora Lang.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son Jerry Lang; stepsons Dale Payne and John Payne; her sister Faye Stevenson; niece Pamela Betton; nephews Taft Lang (Angela) and Alonzo Lang; great nephews Gerald Lang (Christena), Lacy Betton, III, and Taft Lang Jr.; great niece and nephew Laila Lang and Gerald Lang Jr.; and a host of cousins, family, and friends.