Lauren Michaela "Mikki" Payne

ARDEN - Lauren Michaela “Mikki” Payne was born at 8:31 p.m. on a beautiful summer Sunday evening, August 22, 1999, in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  Lauren was taken from us unexpectedly, leaving this world on February 15, 2023, at her life-long home in Arden. 

Waiting to welcome her into eternity were her maternal grandparents James, Doad, and Joan; paternal grandmother, “Nana” Judy, her special “buddy” aunt Peanut, along with many beloved pets and animals she had rescued and loved throughout her life.

Remaining to cherish her memory are her parents, Kenneth and Teresa, their spouses, Erica and John; sisters, Krystal Paulson (Shannon), and Abigail; brothers, Logan (Bethany), Noah, and Issac; two nieces, Abby and Winry, and nephew, Kie; her beloved Papaw Harry; grandmother, Joyce Griffee; aunts and  uncles, Kevin, Keith, Rachel, Kim, Jeff, and Vickie and Dennis; cousins, Anna, Ben, Jenny, Alyssa, Lexi, Madison, and Jacob, Christine, David, and Kody, Brooklyn, Kaidyn, Ryleigh, Jacob, and beloved sister/cousin Katie.

She was the sweetest, most loving baby girl and grew into a beautiful, tender-hearted young woman. She was a beautiful soul, a free spirit, and a lover of all animals. She was amazingly creative, had an angelic singing voice, and had the ability to see the beauty in things the rest of us never see. She was fiercely dedicated to animal rescue and that legacy will continue on her behalf for as long as is humanly possible. This world is poorer for having lost her but blessed for having loved her for her short 23 years. Our lives will never be the same. We love you, Girlie. Rest well. 

The family will be receiving friends 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, February 19 in the chapel of West Family Funeral Services, 17 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville, NC 28787. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lauren’s memory to: Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, https://www.bwar.org/, National Alliance on Mental Illness, https://www.nami.org/home, or the animal welfare or mental health organization of your choice. The family would like to thank West Family Funeral Services, especially Meredith, for their help and support during this time. 

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Lauren’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.