Ann Marie Payne

Ann Marie Payne (Mays) passed peacefully from this earth early evening on January 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Ann was born on June 13, 1945, in Dayton, Ohio, to Clinern Mays and Jannie Mae Smith (Middlebrook). She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother, James Smith, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 60 years, Allen Louis Payne; her loving daughter, Annesa LeShawn Payne Cheek; her beloved grandchildren, Avery Jean Marie and Austin William Allen Cheek; and her loving sister-in-law, Phyllis Payne, and brother-in-law, Anthony Payne. She is also survived by special cousins Karen Hall, Brenda White, and Carol Munday; her sister in Christ, Mary Brooks; as well as a host of nieces, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Family was central to Ann’s life. She held a deep and abiding love for her paternal grandmother, Lucy Bell Mays (“Mamma Mays”), her maternal grandfather, Robert Middlebrook, Jr., and her cousin Danyelle S. Hall, who provided loving in-home care during Ann’s time of need, while her devoted husband, Allen, served as her primary caregiver for nearly the past decade.

Ann was an absolute joy to be around. Her smile and laughter lit up every room she entered. She was known for her warmth, sharp wit, sense of humor, love of learning, flair for fashion, and a love of cooking and experimenting with new recipes—qualities that made her a truly interesting and engaging presence. Her generosity of spirit was evident in her everyday life, as she delighted in introducing children to the joy of books, sharing unique gifts, and offering her help. Always well put together, Ann took pride in her appearance as an expression of dignity, care, and self-respect.

Ann attended Dunbar High School and was among the first African-American students to graduate from Patterson Co-Operative High School in 1963. She went on to graduate from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing therapy and later earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Dayton.

Ann devoted her entire professional career to the Dayton Public Schools, where she served hundreds of students as a speech-language pathologist. She believed deeply in the promise of every child and worked tirelessly to help her students find their voices—academically and beyond. Her work was not simply a profession, but a calling rooted in care, patience, and purpose. Over the span of her lifetime, Ann shared deep professional bonds and enduring friendships with Rosemary Davenport, Cassandra Sumlin, and Angela Williams. She also held a lifelong and cherished friendship with Judy Johnson, who served as her maid of honor and remained a close and constant presence throughout her life. Together, these relationships became a lasting source of pride, support, and joy.

A woman of strong faith, Ann was a devoted member of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, where she faithfully served as an usher.

She enjoyed being creative, loved to dance, and had a special fondness for jewelry. Ann Marie Payne will be remembered for her warmth, quiet strength, generosity, faith, and unwavering belief in education as a force for transformation. Her legacy lives on through the family and friends she loved, the students she served, and the countless lives she touched.

A service to celebrate Ann’s life will be held 11 :00 a.m. Monday, January 19, 2026, at House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave., Dayton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Ann to the National Alzheimer’s Association.

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