Opal Payne, 96, formerly of Mexico dies

Opal Mildred Payne, 96, of Hannibal, formerly of Mexico, died at 2:23 a.m., Monday August 20, 2012, at Hannibal Regional Hospital. Mrs. Payne had lived the last year and a half at Luther Manor in Hannibal.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Pickering Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff Brown officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from noon until the time of service. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Opal was born on August 29, 1915, in Plymouth, Ill., a daughter of Hugh Alton and Zelma Frances (Major) Alton. On June 28, 1932, in Quincy, she married Verl "Dick" Payne. Mr. Payne died on September 7, 1997.

She is survived by one daughter, Betty C. Heath and husband Raly of Kansas City, Mo; two sons, Charles R Payne and wife Garnett of Fairplay, Co., and John F. Payne and wife Barbara of Plainville, Ill.; and one brother, Bill Alton and wife Doris of Mexico.

In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by one son, Larry Moore; one brother Howard Alton; and one sister Margie Moore.

Opal was a member of the Rebekah Lodge 295, TOPS and First Baptist Church of Mexico. She enjoyed flower gardening, traveling, wintering in Texas, and in her younger years enjoyed playing guitar with her husband and brother. Opal also loved and cared for her dog Smokey-Joe.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or Missouri Baptist Children's Home and sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.

Expressions of sympathy may be given at www.pickeringfh.com