Obituary for James Ellsworth Payne
James Ellsworth (J.E.) Payne, 85, was born near Mobeetie Texas on May 15, 1936. His home birth was paid for with a hog and his middle name was after Doctor Ellsworth, who delivered him.
J.E. grew up in Harmon County Oklahoma on a farm Southeast of Hollis. He went to LaCasa School all of his growing-up years. He graduated in the Class of 55.
Left the farm to go to Draughn’s Business College of Wichita Falls, TX right after high school where he met his first wife Sue Von Neal thru his best friend Wayne McElroy, and his girlfriend, Joyce Woolsey (Sue was her best friend). Wayne was also from Harmon County, graduated from Gould high school. Wayne also introduced J.E. to 2nd wife Jennette Woolsey years later (sister of Joyce).
They moved to Corpus Christi Texas (Sue large with child), where he got a job with a vending machine company the day they got to town. They had both Guy David and Donna Gail while in Corpus Christi.
They bought some property outside the city limits of Odem north of Corpus and built a home with his own hands. Used his old Chevy station wagon to haul lumber on/in.
Sue and he divorced a few years later. He moved back home to the farm after the divorce.
He met his second wife Jennette Woolsey while working in Oklahoma City. They married and lived in Moore for several years.
In 1975, Farris, his dad, moved to Bowie Texas, and left J.E. and his family to farm the homestead. He farmed until his health was too bad to continue. He stayed living on the farm in the house his dad had built in the 1940s.
He died within a month of a bad fall in October. He accepted the Lord while at the hospital, (praise the Lord).
J.E. was a hard-working farmer and a great storyteller, loved dogs, preferred motorcycles to horses, (though they were too dangerous). He could “modify†any tool to suit the job, (very handy with a welder), and he loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Payne and Floys Payne; his son, Guy David, Payne; and his brother, William Darrell Payne.
J.E. is survived by his daughter, Donna Payne; three grandchildren, Kathleen (Katie) and Shawn Thurman, Angela Payne, David Payne; two great-grandchildren, Abigail Kolleen Thurman, Gabriel James Thurman, numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 22, 2021, at Bethel / Louis Cemetery in Harmon County, Oklahoma with Pastor Jesse Cantu officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Assembly of God Church, 424 E Eula St, Hollis, OK 735
Services have been entrusted to Harmon County Funeral Home, Hollis, Oklahoma.
To view the family video and share memories with the family of J.E. Payne, please visit
www.HarmonCountyFuneral.com
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J.E. grew up in Harmon County Oklahoma on a farm Southeast of Hollis. He went to LaCasa School all of his growing-up years. He graduated in the Class of 55.
Left the farm to go to Draughn’s Business College of Wichita Falls, TX right after high school where he met his first wife Sue Von Neal thru his best friend Wayne McElroy, and his girlfriend, Joyce Woolsey (Sue was her best friend). Wayne was also from Harmon County, graduated from Gould high school. Wayne also introduced J.E. to 2nd wife Jennette Woolsey years later (sister of Joyce).
They moved to Corpus Christi Texas (Sue large with child), where he got a job with a vending machine company the day they got to town. They had both Guy David and Donna Gail while in Corpus Christi.
They bought some property outside the city limits of Odem north of Corpus and built a home with his own hands. Used his old Chevy station wagon to haul lumber on/in.
Sue and he divorced a few years later. He moved back home to the farm after the divorce.
He met his second wife Jennette Woolsey while working in Oklahoma City. They married and lived in Moore for several years.
In 1975, Farris, his dad, moved to Bowie Texas, and left J.E. and his family to farm the homestead. He farmed until his health was too bad to continue. He stayed living on the farm in the house his dad had built in the 1940s.
He died within a month of a bad fall in October. He accepted the Lord while at the hospital, (praise the Lord).
J.E. was a hard-working farmer and a great storyteller, loved dogs, preferred motorcycles to horses, (though they were too dangerous). He could “modify†any tool to suit the job, (very handy with a welder), and he loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Payne and Floys Payne; his son, Guy David, Payne; and his brother, William Darrell Payne.
J.E. is survived by his daughter, Donna Payne; three grandchildren, Kathleen (Katie) and Shawn Thurman, Angela Payne, David Payne; two great-grandchildren, Abigail Kolleen Thurman, Gabriel James Thurman, numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 22, 2021, at Bethel / Louis Cemetery in Harmon County, Oklahoma with Pastor Jesse Cantu officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Assembly of God Church, 424 E Eula St, Hollis, OK 735
Services have been entrusted to Harmon County Funeral Home, Hollis, Oklahoma.
To view the family video and share memories with the family of J.E. Payne, please visit
www.HarmonCountyFuneral.com
To send flowers in memory of James Ellsworth Payne, visit the Tribute Store.
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