Ernestine Watkins Payne

Ernestine Watkins Payne December 14, 1926 June 22, 2012 Ernestine Watkins Payne made a peaceful transition to God's loving arms in the early morning of June 22, 2012, with her children by her side, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 28, at New Hope Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Doris Miller Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 27, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Ernestine Watkins was born December 14, 1926, in Waco, Texas, to Erma Owens Watkins and Edward Watkins. Ernestine was the baby of four children, including her brothers, Edward Winfred Watkins and John Henry Watkins, who preceded her in death, and her sister, Margarette Watkins Chappell. She attended Waco public schools, where by all accounts, she was a sweet, smart student, well-liked by her peers. Ernestine graduated, as Valedictorian, from A.J. Moore High School. Ernestine accepted Christ at an early age and was a lifelong member of New Hope Baptist Church, where she served faithfully as an usher and participated in various church auxiliary groups and committees. Over the years, she held positions of leadership, most recently as secretary/treasurer of her women's circle. Ernestine Watkins Payne was preceded in death by a son, Gerrard Ray baby Ray. She is survived by her sister, Margarette; her children, Winfred Eugene Watkins, Marjorie Ann Payne Young, and Terry Payne; seven grandchildren, Sharon Watkins Jones, Andre Eugene Watkins, Michael Edward Young, Maya Young Wright, Mikayla Young, Brandi Nicole Payne, Mekiael Hill; and nine great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Jones, Elliott Winfred Jones, Shawn Watkins, Andrea Watkins, Julian Watkins, Zoe Wright, Zane Wright, RaeAnne Hill and Wesley Ellis. In addition, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews remain to lovingly cherish her memory. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey