Lucretia Mauneece Payne

Mauneece Payne, of Clifton, Texas, was called home to our heavenly father on February 6, 2022. Mauneece was born in Waco, Texas, to Mervin and Clora Kellum. The family relocated to Crawford, where Mauneece attended Crawford High School. After graduation, she went on to study elementary education at Tarleton State University where she obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Mauneece tirelessly served the children of the Clifton ISD community for 35 years as a classroom and music teacher. Be it through the many classroom pets, the stage props built from scratch, or the creation of grade-wide plays for her students to perform, she brought learning to life and poured her love for teaching and music into their hearts. During the summers, Mauneece enjoyed spending time with friends and family while pursuing various hobbies. In 1986, she earned the title of the Women’s Class E Horseshoe Pitcher State Champion. Upon meeting her husband, Roye Ray, she began putting her school bus driving skills to work in the grain fields when he needed an extra set of hands. Mauneece married Roye Ray Payne in 1990 in Clifton, in a dress that she had made. They were married for 32 years. Her selfless dedication to others throughout her life was returned in kind by Roye Ray as he cared for her during the latter part of her life. Mauneece was preceded in death by her parents, Mervin and Clora Kellum. She is survived by her husband, Roye Ray Payne; children, Scott (Cody), Melanie (Daniel), Tyler, and Clayton; granddaughters, Kayden and Braylen; siblings, Aleda and Mervin, Jr.; as well as a niece and several nephews. A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 12, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Clifton. The service will begin at FBC Clifton at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Clifton Memorial Park.