Mary Ann Payne

Mary Ann Payne, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished friend to all who knew her, passed away peacefully at Cedarhurst Assisted Living, surrounded by her loving family on March 29, 2026. Born on January 3, 1941, in Annapolis, Mary Ann was the daughter of Ben and Maudie Marie (England) Lewis. She was the second oldest of nine children and a devoted sister to Carolyn Govero and husband Allen, Marilyn Barnes and husband Sonny, and Mike Lewis and wife Jeannetta. She was preceded in death by her siblings Gracie Alene Dowd, Jim Lewis, Billy Lewis, Bobi Lewis, and Stanley Lewis.

On August 8, 1959, Mary Ann married the love of her life, Kenneth Payne, beginning a partnership built on devotion and faithfulness that lasted 63 beautiful years. Together they raised their daughter, Carmen (Payne) Christopher. Both Kenneth and Carmen preceded Mary Ann in death.

She is survived by her grandchildren, Mindy (Christopher) Weber and husband Travis, Kent Christopher and significant other Faith; son-in-law, Michael Christopher; her great-grandchildren, Carson and Clara Weber; and bonus great-grandchild, Jonathan, all whom she loved and adored with her whole heart. She is also survived by a number of beloved nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and cherished every moment spent with them.

For nearly 30 years, Mary Ann served as a medical assistant for Dr. Beck at a time when dedication and heart were the credentials that mattered most. She gave her patients not only skilled care, but genuine warmth and compassion, the same gifts she extended to everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

To her grandchildren she was “MawMaw,” nurturing, warm, endlessly loving, and always present. But that love was never just for a few. Everyone who crossed her path felt it too. She never made love complicated; she just gave it, freely and fully, every single day without keeping score. She had a rare and beautiful gift of making every single person feel genuinely seen and cherished, and there was just something about being around her that stirred something good inside of you. Without ever trying, she made you want to be better not just for yourself, but because she deserved to be loved back just as well as she loved.

Mary Ann Payne will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Cedarhurst Assisted Living, who loved Mary Ann as their own grandmother and provided her with the most wonderful and compassionate care during her time there.

Visitation will be held at C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Home in Desloge, Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 11:00 AM until the time of service at 1:00 PM. Pastor Todd Buck will be officiating. Interment will follow at Leadwood Cemetery in Leadwood. Memorials may be directed in honor of Mary’s memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation www.parkinsons.org