Virginia Payne

On June 20, 2017, God reached out his hand and took Virginia home and her family would like to share the joy of her homegoing. Although all who loved her will miss her, it is comforting for her family to know that God, in his mercy, blessed her with a peaceful passing. Virginia was born on July 25, 1924, and raised in Chattanooga, Tenn. She was a graduate of Central High School. Virginia was the wife of a career officer in the U.S. Air Force. She was blessed with many opportunities to travel and live in many worldwide locations. Her favorite time was the 3 years they spent in Japan, where she fell in love with the culture. She was a talented artist in ceramics, doll making, and flower arranging, in which she won numerous blue ribbons. Above all, her greatest love and pleasure was found in her family. Virginia looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren, nurturing their interests, and helping them follow their dreams. Virginia (Mom) will be dearly missed. Knowing she is in the presence of her Lord and Savior gives us great hope and peace. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Lt. Col (ret) Charles Lebron Payne Sr.; her father and mother, Hubert and Georgia Edwards; brother, Earl Edwards; three sisters, Betty Josephine Edwards, Ethel Edwards Hinds, and Ruth Edwards Gunther. Survivors include her three children and their spouses, Melody Lee Noel (Michael), Charles Lebron Payne Jr. (Sue), David Edwards Payne (Robin); brother, Robert Alfred Edwards (Betsy); four grandchildren, Phillip Clayton Noel, Jonathan Michael Noel, Marleah Nicole Payne, Candice Nicole Payne; and three great-grandchildren. A celebration of Virginia's life will be held in the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home on Monday June 26, 2017, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Steve Rowland officiating. Interment to follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Robert Edwards, Charles Payne, David Payne, Jonathan Noel, Phillip Noel, Robert Gunther. Honorary pallbearers: Michael Noel, William Howard Faulkner Jr., Danny Sells. In lieu of flowers memorial contribution may be made in Virginia’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 6221 Shallowford Road, #102, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Please share your thoughts and memories at: www. ChattanoogaEastChapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Road, East Ridge, TN 37412.