Dorothy F. Payne

Mrs. Dorothy "Mimi" Freeman Payne, age 76, of Andrews passed fully into the presence of her Heavenly Father and a host of family awaiting her arrival on Friday, March 30, 2018, at Murphy Medical Center, with her family by her side.

She was born on May 16, 1941, to the late Robert B. Freeman and Iona McDonald Freeman. Dorothy's was a lifelong resident of Cherokee County, growing up at a young age on Hanging Dog and then later on Beaver Creek in Andrews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Larry W. Payne, who died April 25, 2013, her son-in-law, Gerald Cooper, three infant grandchildren, Noah, Cloey, and Clifford Cooper, three sisters, Lorene Wise, Betty Jean Luther, and Sue Hardin, brother, James B. Freeman, and one niece, Gail Wise Green.

She is survived by daughters Katherine Cooper and Fiance, Danny Mayberry, and Kimberly (Junior) MaGaha, all of Andrews. Grandchildren, Tiffany M. Enloe, Timothy (Robin) MaGaha, and Shane Copper and Fiance, Julie Perry, also of Andrews. Great grandchildren, Isaac Enloe, Jacob Enloe, and Jasmine Enloe, and twins, Samual and Savanna, soon to be born in midsummer. Brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Collene Payne, sisters-in-law, Betty Wilson and Geneva Gibby, all of Marble, Linda Rowland of GA and Christine Payne of Andrews. Two special nieces, Barbara H. Wooter and Pat H. Ball of Gastonia, and a special nephew, Jerry Luther of Andrews.

Dorothy retired as a seamstress for Owenby's Manufacturing Company after many years. She also worked for Vanity Fair (Lee's) and Levis. After retiring she began another career in caregiving for the elderly. She was an active member of her Andrews High School Class Reunions until this past year due to a decline in health.

She was a 30+ year member of TOPS Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). She enjoyed a career of becoming an area Captain for over 17 counties in Western and Middle NC. During this time she traveled many miles starting groups in various counties. Also traveled to state meetings and conventions. In 2009, he and her niece, Barbara Wooten, boarded a plane for their first time and flew to Oregon state to visit her last surviving Aunt Tootsi Marcus and many cousins that she has never met.

Dorothy was a devoted member of Valley Town Baptist Church after she joined on Sunday morning, August 6, 1989. She enjoyed playing the piano from a young age. She played for quartets, trios, choirs, and sang over 25 years in Hyatts Creek Baptist Church and Beaver Creek Freewill Baptist Church. Her biggest accomplishment was teaching, her then, two small daughters to sing and starting a trio, which lasted for many years with them. In 1968, she began a small ministry of passing out The Daily Bread Booklet to family, friends, co-workers, shut-ins, and nursing homes. Today, her children continue to order and pass along their mother's ministry in her memory.

Dorothy preached her funeral living as a strong Christian woman of faith and courage. One of her favorite quotes was to "Keep looking up and pressing forward; God was ahead awaiting."

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made in Memory
of Dorothy F. Payne to:
Our Daily Bread Ministries
P.O. Box 2222
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2222

The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy of Murphy, Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, NC. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.