Aletha Nellijack Alexander (Jackie) Payne

   Jackie Payne passed away peacefully, at age 93, on January 19, at The Oak of Bethany Home, Vidalia, Georgia. She lived life to the fullest, enjoying a long life with a strong emphasis on her faith, the love of family and a commitment to her friends.

She was born in a rural community near Lyons, Georgia. She grew up in the Carlos Alexander family as the oldest of six children, and is survived by two brothers, C.V. Alexander, Jr., wife Linda, Marion L. (Dickie) and wife, Dot, and several nieces and nephews.

   As a young lady, she moved to Atlanta to attend Secretarial School and worked as a model at the J. P. Allen Department Store. She met and married Richard Hammond Payne (now deceased), an Emory University graduate. They were the parents of two beloved sons. Richard Payne (Ricky) (now deceased) and Daniel Payne (Danny) living in Colorado. She is also survived by her grandson, Daniel Alexander Payne, Jr., his wife, Michelle, and great granddaughter, Amelia.

Active into her 90’s, Jackie maintained a diligent life enjoying garden club activities. She won many awards on her floral designs in Flower Shows. She was a member of the Bellmere Garden Club and the Designers Club, which is composed of Flower Show Judges. She judged Flower Shows for nearly 50 years and was a member of the North Georgia Council of Flower Show Judges. She served on the State Board of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., in many chairmanship positions. She helped to organize garden clubs and served as an officer in several clubs. She was President of the Georgetown Garden Club and the DeKalb Federation of Garden Clubs in 1986-1988.

As an active volunteer, she chaired Flower Shows and served in many leadership roles. She did not seek recognition but was always ready to serve.  She will be missed by her family and many friends.

A private family memorial service will be held in Lyons, Georgia. Contributions may be made to The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. for the Scholarship Fund, 2450 South Milledge Ave., Athens, GA  30602-5817.

Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Lyons Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.