Mrs. Emma Jean Payne

December 11, 1942 - January 3, 2022

PAYNE, Mrs. Emma Jean - Age 79, passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 in Saginaw, MI. Family hour 4:30 PM Friday, January 14, 2022 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 5:00 PM. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery,, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 4:30 PM Friday. Mrs. Payne will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Thursday. Our beloved Mother Emma, affectionately known as Jean, entered this world on December 11, 1942, in Gurdon, Arkansas. She was the first born of Johnny and Maude Ethel Cunningham. As a child she was baptized at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. By the age of 12 Jean was cooking full course meals for her entire family. Her love of cooking never ceased, and Sunday dinners were a staple until her untimely demise. She graduated as the Valedictorian of Bell High School in 1960. She then moved to Wichita, Kansas and was employed by Boeing Aircraft. Jean was united in holy matrimony to Clarence “Dick” Payne on February 27, 1964. They relocated their young family to Flint, Michigan in 1966. She was an early member of House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastorship of Rev. Charlie Thrower. While a faithful member of HOP, she sang in the choir and served in several capacities throughout the church. Jean had many talents including freehand drawing and had impeccable penmanship, but she was most known for her fishing skills. She took any opportunity she could to teach her children, grands and great grands her favorite pastime, but showed no mercy when it was time to “reel ‘em in.” Nobody could out-fish Jean. If she wasn’t on the fishing bank, you could find her solving puzzle books, smack talking at a spades table or going toe to toe with the one-armed bandits at the casino. On the evenings when she wasn’t “working” the slots, you’d likely find her watching basketball games on tv. Jean was known for her quick wit and one-liners. Jean had a love of gospel music, but everyone knows she loved her down home blues. She was an avid listener of the Saturday Blues show on 98.9 FM where the DJs would often dedicate classic hits to “The Fishing Lady”. Emma Jean loved her children but, it was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that really melted her heart. She was always thrilled for every opportunity to see photos or visit with them and she was excited for the birth of another granddaughter arriving in June. Jean was full of life and love. She never met a stranger and welcomed everyone she met with open arms. “The doors of my church are always open!” was her famous saying and she meant it. She was the community’s parent and never hesitated to love and help chastise those brought into her world. Mrs. Payne, Mrs. Jean, Momma Payne, Granny, Granny Jean and Big Granny was some of the names she was affectionately referred to by those blessed to know her. Anyone visiting her, usually left with a full belly, a good laugh and a “I love you.” She will be deeply missed but the memories she created will forever remain in our hearts. Mrs. Emma Jean Payne leaves to cherish her memory daughters, Sandra Payne of Warren, MI, Robin Farris, Lisa Payne, both of Flint, MI, and Shasta (William) Bohannon of Atlanta, GA; sons, Jeffery Payne of Flint, MI and Vincent Lamarr Payne of Michigan; son-in-love, Farris ”Greg” of Flint, MI; bonus children, Patsy Gatlin, Debbie Payne of Arkansas and Kelvin Payne of California; grandchildren, Tiffany Payne, Tamario Bohannon, Tony Gibson, Brittany Farris, Tangella (Qinton) Tanner, Christian Montgomery, Otisa Lynn and Adrian Love-Guy; great-grandchildren, Chase, Tianna, Tamario II, Tamari, Taj, Toni, Tyler, Treasure, Dereion, Kaleb, Lei, Mia, Thailand, Otis, Braylon, Zaria, Layla and Ayden; sister, Lois Cunningham of Mt. Morris, MI; brothers, Johnny Cunningham and Anthony (Andrea) Cunningham of Arkansas, Harry Cunningham of Flint, MI; brother-in-law, Johnny Payne of San Diego, CA; sisters-in-law, Della Horton of Okalona, AR, Dorothy (Jay) Blake of San Diego, CA, Shirley (Robert) Davis of Lorton, VA; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends including, Welton (Carolyn) Lewis, Vernetta Craver, Treasa Swinton, Carrie Roberts, Betty Henderson, Ms. Carrie and Sally Mildred. Jean was preceded in death by, husband Clarence Payne; daughter Danieka Payne; son, Kendall Spruce; great-grandsons, Jordan Hardy and Tyson Bohannon; mother, Maude Ethel; father Johnny Cunningham; sister, Shirley Enemuoh. The family would like to express thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time. May God bless you all.