Obituary: Minnie Jean Payne

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Minnie Jean Payne, 76, of Harrisburg, went to be with the Lord at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, July 16, 2011, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Galatia.

She was born on Nov. 21, 1934, in Eldorado to the late Dan Edward and Kathrine E. (Raulston) Payne. She married William E. Smith and he preceded her in death on Dec. 22, 1992.

Minnie was a retired activity director at Harrisburg Care Center. She was member of the First Baptist Church of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Lioness Club. She loved fishing, gardening, playing bingo with her friends, but most of all loved being with her family.

Surviving family members include a daughter, Darlene Hale of Waterloo; daughter, Ramona (John) Cotter of Thompsonville; son, Billy (Susan) Smith of Harrisburg; grandchildren, Billy Hale of Waterloo, Bobby Hale of Waterloo, Lesa (Jim) Rankin of Evansville, Ind., Clint (Candice) Cotter of Ava, A.J. (Gina) Smith of Harrisburg, Hunter Smith of Harrisburg and Harlie Smith of Harrisburg; great-grandchildren, Alyssa Hale, Cassi and Aubrey Cotter, Grant Welten, John and Jolie Rankin, Damon Nelson and Elijah and Zoey Felty; special friend, Bill Bradley of Harrisburg; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mary Roberts and Faye Mahan; and three brothers. Carl Payne, Dan "Bubby" Payne and Melvin Payne.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. The Rev. Chris Winkleman will officiate. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Equality. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at the Internet site of www.reedfuneralchapel.com.