Mary Ellen Gudger Payne

Mrs. Mary Ellen Gudger Payne, 80, of Weaverville, NC., departed this life early Tuesday morning February 21, 2017 at the John F. Keever Solace Center of Asheville, surrounded by family. She was born on June 18th, 1936 in Asheville NC to the late James Harold Gudger and Mary Ballard Gudger and was a lifelong resident of Buncombe County. She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce Earnest Payne. Ellen attended Sand Hill High School and Blanton's Business College. She worked for several local businesses, but she most cherished her time working for the Buncombe Baptist Association and the Western North Carolina Baptist Retirement Home where she was instrumental in raising money for the building of the facility. She acted as the Assistant Director for 13 years thereafter, touching both the lives of the residents and their families. Mom had a beautiful voice and sang for many churches during their mission emphasis events as well as other church programs. She was proud of her children and grandchildren and loved just being with them and watching them play sports. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and was an avid rock hound. She loved to read, teach Sunday School, Bible School, volunteered and chaperoned at numerous school events. She was a member of Deaverview Baptist in her younger years, Enka Baptist for many years, and West Asheville Baptist Church for the last 30+ years. Although she was unable to attend during the past years of her declining health, she truly loved her church family. She is survived by her brother Glenn Harold Gudger (Ruth) of Hiwassee GA, 3 children; a son Michael S. Payne (Patti) of Candler, a son Steven G. Payne (Kristie) of Candler, and a daughter Suzanne Payne North (Brian) of Greensboro NC. Her grandchildren are Jordan Payne (Amy) of Laramie WY, Jared Payne (Morgan) of Asheboro NC, Megan and Rachel North of Greensboro NC, Hunter Payne, Kyra and Kamya Latson, Jacob Payne all of Candler, and a great-grandson Finn Payne of Laramie WY, and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 25th from 1:00 – 3:00PM at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave in Asheville, NC. A graveside service will be immediately afterwards at 3:30PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Dr. Stan Welch and Rev. Tony Hooper will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to West Asheville Baptist Church Building Fund. We will forever be grateful to our church families for their love and support during these times. We want to extend a very special thank-you to all of the highly skilled care givers at Mission Hospital, the loving care at the Solace Center, and the exceptional, long-term daily love and personal care mom received from the staff at Pisgah Manor Nursing Home over the last 8 years. Words will never describe the wonderful care you all provided to our mother.