Sandra Lee “Sandy” Payne, 81 went to her heavenly home after struggling with Alzheimer’s disease for 12+ years on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Spring View Nursing Home in Leitchfield, KY with her family lovingly by her side.
Sandy was born on August 31, 1942, in Rockford, Illinois to Arnold Lee and Dorothy Block Brown. She was the oldest of 4 children: Rose, Carleen, and David. As an Army family they lived in several places, including spending some time in Germany. They settled in Owensboro where she remained and grew her family. She had a special bond with her sisters, all family vacations were to visit their families out of state or to Gatlinburg, TN where such enjoyable memories were made. She was a proud daughter of an Army Colonel who served in WWII. She had a special place in her heart for veterans, never missing a Veteran’s Day parade or Memorial Day celebration.
She married James Patrick “Pat” Payne in 1975 and were blessed with four children: Bobby, Joy, April, and Patrick. Pat affectionately called her “woman” which she can now hear once again after twelve years apart.
Sandy’s career flourished as Regional Manager of Medi-Home Care where she retired after 35 years and managed stores in Owensboro, Leitchfield, Elizabethtown, Tell City, and Louisville. Her strong work ethic shone through, as she worked many a late night and weekends, with a love and care for people that was undeniable.
She had a way of making whoever she was around feel like they were special. The love she gave was generous, sweet, and admirable. She had an immense passion for her family and embodied the best of qualities; unconditional love and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for her father, husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, entire family, and countless others. She adored her grandchildren and never missed a birthday, school event, or other milestone. She accepted the Lord as her savior and was baptized in her home.
She enjoyed many cookouts and Christmas parties at the Eight Ball with the Payne family where laughter and good times were always in abundance.
Her reunion in Heaven includes a host of people including her parents, husband, sisters and brother, and son-in-law John Dennis Haynes Jr.
Sandy is healed and in the arms of Jesus while those left to cherish her memories already miss her so much. Including her four children: Bobby (Amy) Payne of Owensboro, Joy (Darryl) Griffith of Falls of Rough, April Haynes of Newburgh, IN, Patrick Payne of Owensboro; thirteen grandchildren, Kent McCarthy, Jessica (Dustin) Roberts, Zackary (Bree) Haynes, Zoe (Christopher) Moore, Breanna Griffith, Dustin Quinn, Camille Quinn, Cassidy Griffith, Haley Payne, Emma Haynes, Peyton Payne, JD Haynes, Carlee Haynes, six great-grandchildren with one baby girl on the way, Aubrey, Gavin and Audi Roberts, Carslynn, and Luna Haynes, and Erik Moore, and a special caregiver Kathryn Foley.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial to follow at Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations made payable to the American Legion Post 9, 736 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301, and Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter, 6100 Duthchmans Lane, Ste. 401, Louisville, KY 40205. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Sandra Lee “Sandy” Payne. Leave your messages of condolence for the family of Mrs. Payne and sign her virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.