Obituary of Joyce Irene Payne

Joyce Irene Payne, 93, of Jasper, NY passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Born in Hornell, NY on June 25, 1929, Joyce was the daughter of Paul and Sadie (Hosmer) Sheehan. Raised in the Towlesville/Canisteo area, Joyce graduated from Canisteo Central School. On April 6, 1947, she married Gerald Payne from Jasper and they were married 73 happy years until Gerald’s passing in 2020. They made their home in Jasper, NY, where they raised their family. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Joyce and Gerald owned and operated Payne’s General Store in Jasper for 22 years. They enjoyed many years of camping, several at Southern Gospel concerts. They also enjoyed a trip to Hawaii, Italy and several trips to Myrtle Beach. They greatly enjoyed their yearly trips to visit their daughter and family in California. What a sport she was riding motorcycle, snowmobiling, and flying with her husband as he piloted a little Cessna. Joyce cherished time spent with her family, frequently providing loving care for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never turned down a chance to look after them. She will be remembered for her always-full cookie jar, delicious rolls, her love of playing any kind of game with her grandchildren, her quiet but witty sense of humor, her beautiful voice and her constant faith. She was an inspiration to all of how to be a Godly wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Gerald and Joyce were active and faithful in their church, in late years at the Woodhull Community Church. Joyce is survived by her children, David and Paula Payne of Canisteo, Ronald and Judy Friends of Jasper, Carol and Tony Skelly of Torrance, CA, and Bruce and Linda Payne of Branchport, NY. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Danielle (Lester) Miller, Becca (Ben) Evans, David(Laura) Payne, Christopher(Diane) Friends, Kelly (Tom) VanGorden, Marc (Allison) Friends, AJ Skelly, Anna (Tiffany) Hasse Skelly, Mary (Mark) Tisei, Amanda (Brian) Lucas, Abby (Kenny) Shaw, Andrew (Allie) Payne; 16 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, her brother, Robert (Cynthia) Sheehan and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Joyce was predeceased by her brothers Paul Sheehan and James Sheehan, granddaughter, Kathryn Joyce Skelly and grandson, Thomas Andrew Payne. Friends and family may call from noon to 2 pm Monday, April 24, 2023 at the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home, Woodhull, NY, where a funeral service will be conducted immediately following visitation at 2 pm. Rev. Brian Diffenbacher will officiate. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Towlesville, NY. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull, NY.