Betty Jean Smith Payne

ASHEVILLE—Betty Jean Smith Payne, age 82, of Asheville, died Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Mrs. Payne was born January 6, 1929, in Pike County, Miss. She was a daughter of the late Johnny and Maybelle Jones Smith. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, James "Jimmy" Milton Payne; brother, J.B. Smith, Jr.; and sister, Pauline Craig. Surviving are her son, Rodger Payne and wife Janice of Asheville; granddaughters, Angela Eeds and husband Gary, and Jessica Payne; great grandsons, Landon Krousel, Isaac Eeds, and Aaron Eeds; sisters, Linda Gale of Charlotte, Sue Evans and husband Jasper of Mooresville, and Bennie Miller of Hickory; brothers, Alva Lee Smith and wife Nancy of Valdese, and Ralph Marshall Smith of Loris, S.C. Her graveside service will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, June 18, 2011, at Forest Lawn West Cemetery, 4601 Freedom Dr., Charlotte, NC 28208. The family would like to thank the staffs of the Pulmonary Stepdown Unit at Mission Hospital, Stonecreek Health and Rehabilitation, and Four Seasons Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Payne's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.