Lubbock- Graveside services for Helen Sue Hearn Payne, age, 90, of Lubbock, Texas who died October, 7, 2017, will be held at Englewood Cemetery, under the direction of Englund Funeral Service in Slaton, Texas on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. Helen was born in Bowling Green MO, on March 2, 1927, the daughter of Durlin H. Hearn and Emma Josephine Carroll Hearn. She was preceeded in death by her husband, William J. (Bill) Payne of Lubbock in March, 2005, her sister Mary Voss, brother Floyd Hearn, and brother Jim Hearn, all of MO.
She attended Minnequa School of Nursing and Southwestern Colorado University in Pueblo, CO before moving to Texas, attending Texas Tech University, completing work as a registered nurse at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, later earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from West Texas State University, a Master’s Degree of Nursing from the the University of Texas in Austin, and a teaching certificate for secondary school from A & M University. She worked in the nursing field for many years, later taught at Monterey High School for 8 years, returned to Methodist Hospital School of Nursing as an instructor, then was in charge of recruitment and admissions where she worked closely with colleges and universities in attracting young people to the nursing profession.
She was a member of many civic organizations and served on boards and committees for South Plains College, Wayland University, Lubbock Independent School District, the City of Lubbock and Garza County among which were Sigma Tau Delta, AAUW, ABWA, American Red Cross for Lubbock and Garza Counties, Board Member of Wayland Baptist University at Lubbock, Texas Health Occupations Association, South Plains Employment and Training Consortium Advisory Council, Private Industry Council Job Training Program, Lubbock Health Facilities Board and many others.
She is survived by 3 sons Gale Lewis (twin) of Austin, Dale Lewis (twin) and wife Mary of Lubbock, William Bayless Payne and wife Pamela of Sequim, WA; 10 grandchildren Laurie Ann Lewis, Scott Lewis, Erin Blanc, Lillis Breland, Melissa Litwiller, Lacey Lewis, Sara Payne, Aletheia Payne, Liam Payne (twin), and Claire Payne (twin); 9 Great Grandchildren Calan Rodgers, Addison Blanc, Berkeley Blanc (triplet), Caleb Blanc (triplet), Drew Blanc (triplet), Wynne Breland, Graeme Litwiller, Declan Litwiller, and Everett Litwiller; and 8 nephews and nieces.
Reading and Bible study were her favorite pastimes and she taught Sunday School at all age levels during her lifetime. She raised her boys in Trinity Baptist Church and later attended Melonie Park Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking for her large family and always encouraged family members and others to pursue higher education.
In memory of Helen Payne, the family would like all donations to be made to the Covenant School Nursing Scholarship Fund at the following address: Covenant School of Nursing Scholarship Fund, C/O Covenant Foundation, 3623 22nd Place, Lubbock, TX 79410; (806) 725-6089
