Joyce Claire Carlton Payne, a resident of Tallahassee and formerly of Plant City, died Jan. 6, 2013.
She was born Sept. 10, 1925, in Plant City, to James DeWitt Carlton and Maude Griffin Carlton.
Mrs. Payne graduated in 1947, from Florida State College for Women/Florida State University, with a degree in social work. Later that year, she married the love of her life, Robert Payne. Following his ordination as a Methodist minister, they moved to Bridgeport, Conn., where he served as a pastor while continuing graduate work at Union Theological Seminary in New York.
Mrs. Payne was an active partner in their shared ministry there and in churches in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and First United Methodist Church, in Plant City.
Known for her gracious hospitality, Mrs. Payne spent many hours baking and cooking and entertaining friends and family. Her lovely alto voice was part of many church choirs, the Plant City Community Choir and a soloist for numerous weddings. A highlight for her was singing in the Lakeland Choral Society and performing, at Carnegie Hall, under the direction of John Rutter.
A lifelong Methodist, Mrs. Payne was a woman of strong faith and character. She was active in United Methodist Women and held offices at the local and district levels. Prior to moving to Tallahassee, she was a member of First United Methodist Church, Plant City, and the Seekers Sunday School class.
She is survived by daughters, Gloria Colvin, of Tallahassee and Carol Brinkley, of Williamsburg, Va.; sons-in-law, Jesse Colvin, Kent Brinkley and Paul Meers; grandchildren, Emily Adkins (Melvin), Kara Colvin, Michael Meers and Matthew Meers; great-grandchildren, Ayden Fryar and Mason Adkins; brothers, Bruce Carlton (Annelle) and George Carlton (Marie); sisters-in-law, Patricia Swails and Ann Payne; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Mrs. Payne was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, the Rev. Robert Payne; daughter, Patricia (Patty) Meers; and brother, DeWitt Carlton.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17, at Trinity United Methodist Church, in Tallahassee.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the music program at Trinity United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1086, Tallahassee, FL. 32302; the Robert and Joyce Payne Scholarship, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL.; or the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, FL. 32725.