Lucille Payne

On December 1, 2023, Lucille “Lucy” Andrews Payne passed away peacefully with family at her side. She was 87 years old. Lucy was a faithful woman who loved the Lord, her family and friends. 

Lucy is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Robert “Chick” Payne and their three children and their spouses:   Robert Jr. (Kim), David (Annette), and Kelli Baker (John) as well as twelve grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, her sister Patsy and several nieces and nephews. Family meant everything to her, and her warmth and love created a bond that will endure through generations.

Lucy was born on May 25, 1936, in Abilene, Texas to Gladys Inez McCarty and Travis Wilson Andrews as the fifth of six children, including Jacqueline, Jack, Curry, Mary Ellen, and Patsy. The family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico sometime between 1937 and 1940.

Lucy was well-loved in her small town of Hobbs, New Mexico. Her keen sense of fashion was on display as her social calendar provided an abundance of opportunity to sport a new gown or hat.  She cherished the friends she made in Hobbs and kept in touch with them throughout her life.

Lucy graduated from Hobbs High School in New Mexico and attended Fullerton College in California.  In 1956, Lucy met the love of her life, Chick, when he walked into the Hobbs soda shop. Chick was playing professional baseball for the Washington Senator farm system. They made their home in the Washington, DC area following baseball seasons in Wilson, NC ‘57, Appleton, WI ‘58, and Lynchburg, VA ‘59.

Her career in accounting started in 1972, after her three children reached grade school.  Lucy successfully worked as an accountant and bookkeeper for 45 years with one of her sons and two grandchildren following in her footsteps. 

Lucy enjoyed traveling, including trips in Europe with her sisters and family vacations (especially to the beach)...creating memories that will be cherished by those fortunate enough to be with her. Lucy loved to play games. She had an uncanny ability to win any game she played, especially Rummy, despite numerous failed attempts by her grandchildren to beat her. 

Lucy was a sports and music enthusiast watching her husband, children and grandchildren on the playing fields. Her love for all things Texas cultivated a love for the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers in her family. She also loved country music and Elvis, who she personally met early in his career. 

She enjoyed shopping for hats and antiques, painting, and discovering the family’s genealogy.

Her gentle spirit and unwavering positivity were a beacon to all who knew her. Lucy never spoke an unkind word, and her genuine kindness facilitated relationships full of admiration and respect. May her memory continue to inspire us to live with the same grace, compassion, warmth and joy that she brought to the world.

A Celebration of Life ceremony for Lucy will be held at Cedarbrook Community Church at 23700 Stringtown Rd, Clarksburg, Maryland 20871, on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. It will be followed by a light lunch.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Cedarbrook Community Church at www.cedarbrook.org.