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The sadness among us continues.

Ruth Ray Payne, mother of Tommy Payne (’63) of VA and Marilyn Payne Springfield (’66) of VA, and mother-in-law of Chuck Springfield (’66) of VA, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2009 in Newport News.

Friday, January 09, 2009

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

—Stephanie Mayhew, Yorktown, Virginia

Friday, January 09, 2009

Marilyn & Chuck,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

Jerry, Rhonda, Austin, Lauren & Shannon

—Jerry Passaro, Williamsburg, Virginia

Friday, January 09, 2009

Marilyn,
Judy and I extend our heartfelt sympathy to you, Chuck, and your family. Our prayer is that you are experiencing God's sustaining in a powerful way at this time.

Gordon

—Gordon Gentry, Jr.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Marilyn -
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Brian

—Brian Skinner, Yorktown, Virginia

Friday, January 09, 2009

Marilyn and Chuck,
Cindy and I extend our deepest sympathy.

—Scott Matthews, Raleigh, North Carolina Contact Me

Friday, January 09, 2009

Jo Anne and I share your sadness and will keep your entire family in our prayers.

—Ross, Midlothian, Virginia

Friday, January 09, 2009

Marilyn & Chuck,

We were so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Its a tough time but you are blessed to have many years of great memories. You are in our prayers.

Carolyn & Joe

—Carolyn & Joe Philpott, Martinsville, Virginia

Friday, January 09, 2009

Marilyn & Chuck,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mike and I extend our most heartfelt sympathy to you and your family at this sad time. While knowing you were so blessed to have had your Mom for this long, it's never the right time to lose someone so special. Take care and we hope to see you and Chuck before too long.

—Faye & Mike Houk, Hampton, Virginia

Friday, January 09, 2009

Marilyn, Chuck, Tommy and family,
You know that we love you and feel the sorrow of losing such a sweet and beautiful lady in your lives. We have such special memories of good times with your mother through the years. God blessed us all with her gentle spirit. I also remember fondly, your dad, and hours of fun playing badminton when we were young. Your mother would just smile, laugh and speak softly. What special parents you had. I know you will miss her greatly and feel sad for now, but good times are ahead for all who believe.
God Bless you!
Love,
Judy Allen

—Judy and Jerry Allen, Newport News, Virginia Contact Me

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dear Marilyn, Chuck, Tommy and Margaret,

It was with a lot of sadness that we got the news that Aunt Ruth had passed away. We will miss her even though we were not privileged to visit with her very often. It is a joy to know that this is not the end, but only a temporary inconvenience, and then we will have another great Ray Reunion in heaven soon!
Here are a few verses that I wrote for my mother's service that I thought you might find comforting.

THE BLESSED HOPE
The blessed Hope we Christians hold,
Is worth to us far more than goldl
Our gold we hold just for a "day",
And then like life may pass away.

But with the Blessed Hope we hold,
It matters not if we have gold,
And if we see life pass away,
We know it will return one day!

The promise that our Lord once gave,
That we will live beyond the grave,
Sustains us when our hearts would break,
His love for us keeps hope awake!

A Christian Mother is God's way,
Of showing us His love each day,
And when we lose this dearest friend,
Our hope tells us it's not the end!

By death we're parted for awhile,
Yet soon again we'll see her smile!
And then we'll never have to part,
Or feel again a breaking heart!

And so today we praise God's grace,
For giving Mother's smiling face!
And for the Blessed Hope we hold,
That's worth to us far more than Gold!

Our Love and prayers,
Kenneth and Ruth Wynn

—Kenneth, Ruth Wynn, Spartanburg, South Carolina

Sunday, January 11, 2009

May God bless you and your family.

Loretta, Chesapeake, Virginia

—Loretta

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Marilyn & Chuck,

Though we never got to know your Mom personally, we feel like we did based on the conversations we've shared on Mom's. We know without a doubt, however, that she was indeed a wonderful lady based on the daughter she raised. Always remember to hold the memories you built with her over her lifetime here on this physical earth close to your heart as they are one of her greatest gift she's left for you now. Know that you are all in our prayers and our hearts.

Cathy & Ben, Mechanicsville, Virginia

—Anonymous

Our sincerest condolences are extended to Mrs. Payne's entire family and their friends at this time.

From Marilyn Payne Springfield ('66) of VA - 01/09/08 - "Marilyn Payne Springfield's Mother's Death":

Did not know if someone had notified you that my mother died yesterday.

Her Obituary is in today's Daily Press - Ruth Ray Payne. Chuck and I are still is shock...we will miss her terribly!

Marilyn

I did read it myself, Marilyn, and posted it on our NNHS Blog until I was able to return to my computer and files to create this Memorial Newsletter for her:

Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!

Carol Buckley Harty
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408
618-530-9092

Lead, Kindly Light

Lyrics by John Henry Newman, 1833
Music by John B. Dykes, 1865

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blessed me, sure it will,
Will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

		NEWPORT NEWS - Ruth Ray Payne passed away on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009. She led a life filled with love, compassion and selflessness. All who knew her were very blessed and will truly miss her. The daughter of Bedford Walter Ray and Emily Cumore Ray of Hillsborough, N.C., she was the ninth of 11 children. She graduated from Fletcher Academy in North Carolina as a registered nurse. She was a resident of Newport News since 1942 and a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Clark Payne, whom she loved dearly since their marriage in 1939. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Edgar Ray, Lawrence Ray, Avery Ray, Essie Wynn, Vivian Hurst, Herman Ray, Claudius Ray, Ola Crabtree, and Lalah Neece.
Ruth Ray Payne

She is survived by her children, Thomas C. Payne, Jr. and his wife, Margaret, of Williamsburg and Marilyn Springfield and her husband, Chuck, of Newport News and her brother, Mervin Ray, of Hendersonville, N.C. She was a loving grandmother to Annie Kutz of Hampton and Kevin Payne and his fiancée, Heather Bunnell, of Williamsburg. A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at Second Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Robin Wooddell with a reception to follow. Interment will be private. The family would like to thank her loving neighbors and Tonya Brewer, her caregiver, for all their help with her care. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to your favorite charity. Arrangements are by Weymouth Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks. Published in the Daily Press from 1/9/2009 - 1/10/2009. Guest Book