Celebration of Life Services will be convened in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, January 5, 2019, 2:00 p. m. with burial following in Lawrence Serenity Sanctum.  The remains will lie in state at the funeral home for public visitation from Noon until service time.  Rev. Jack Watson, Pastor of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Waco, Texas, will officiate.

Mandy Lee Monroe Payne was born to the late Earmon Monroe and Lugena "Dutch" Wafer on July 14, 1944 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She departed this life peacefully on Friday, December 28, 2018, in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Mandy was baptized at an early age at Friendship Baptist Church in Bredatown and later joined fellowship with Zion Hill Baptist Church and Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. At Mt. Carmel, Mandy served as Usher Board President, Member of the Missionary Society, Youth Counselor and on the Culinary Staff. She remained committed to her faith.

Mandy graduated from Grambling State University and earned a Master's in Education from Prairie View A & M University. She later taught Physical Education and Health at Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas. She helped to grow the enrollment at Paul Quinn College by recruiting and attracting many students, from the Natchitoches and Spearsville Community in Louisiana, to attend school at Paul Quinn in Waco. Mandy enjoyed teaching as well as coaching. She coached volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams during her career. She later taught PE at the Waco Independent School District until her health declined in 2004.

Mandy was united in Holy Matrimony on April 10, 1966 to Lutrill A. Payne, Jr. Through this union two loving children were born, Carolyn Michelle Payne and Lutrill "Trell" Payne, III. She also raised, like a daughter, Lisa Hicks Edwards. She was a dedicated and devoted mother to her children and grandchildren. She had a sweet spirit and people were drawn to her friendly personality and beautiful smile. She never met a stranger. Mandy was a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Mandy was preceded in death by her parents, including a stepfather, Tom Wafer, as well as three of her four siblings, Leanna Wafer Bonner, Lillian Wafer Edwards, and Eardis Edwards; her loving husband of thirty-two years, Lutrill Payne, Jr. a dear Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Pearl H. Payne and Father-in-Law, Mr. Lutrill A. Payne, Sr. and her Brother-in-Law, Ralph L. Payne, Sr.

Mandy leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter, Carolyn Michelle Payne, and son Lutrill "Trell" Payne, III of Natchitoches, Louisiana; Lisa (Austin) Edwards of Waco, Texas; her grandsons: Ladedrick (Amanda) Williams of Arlington, Texas; John Ryan Sibley of Natchitoches, and Geroyd Whitsey of Arlington, Texas; her step-brother Leroy Wafer. Two loving Sister-in-Laws and a Brother-in-Law as well as several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who cherish fond memories.