Mother Ella Lue Hays Williams-Payne of 129 Belinda Circle, Americus, Georgia died Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center in Americus, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 2:30 PM in the sanctuary of the Bethesda Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery in Americus, Georgia.

Church Mother Ella Williams Payne, 98, of Americus, Georgia, departed this life on May 25, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Ella Lou, commonly known as "Ma Payne," is the daughter of the late Joe Hayes and the late Mary Furlow Hayes. She was born April 1, 1926, in Schley County, where she attended Springhill School of Sumter County.

Early in life, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was a lifelong member of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church. Her love of the Lord was evident in her service as mother of the church and president of the usher board until her passing. She was also a member of Friendship Baptist Association. Her favorite gospel songs include "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "When All God's Children Get Together," "One More Time," and her all-time favorite "Over Yonder," which she was known for singing any time and any place. Her legacy of service will continue to inspire those who knew her.

In 1944, she married Virgil Williams. Together, they built a family full of love and shared a beautiful marriage with four children until his death in 1973. She found love again and married Hilton Payne, Sr. in 1989.  They shared their lives together until his passing in 1993.

She was strong-willed and found immense pleasure in the simple joys of life including gardening, fishing, and cooking. She was also a local volunteer. Whether it was preparing meals like collard greens, cornbread and peach cobbler, providing transportation, or caring for the sick, she will be remembered for her commitment to the community. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

She was gainfully employed at Davidson Textron Automotive until her retirement in 1994. She was preceded in death by her first   husband Virgil Williams; her second husband Hilton Payne, Sr.; her four brothers, Charles Hayes, Walter Hayes, Chester Hayes and J.D. Hayes; her sisters, Nettie Pearl Patterson, Gussie Mae Jackson and Mary Jo Ingram; a grandson, Jaimoh Sutton; a daughter-in-law, Mary Hodges Williams; her stepchildren, Lonnie Payne, Michael Payne and Marsha Payne; a step granddaughter, Melissa Johnson.

She is survived by her children Sarah Williams Robinson of Americus, Georgia, Annie Ruth Williams (Rudy) Holloway of St. Peters, Missouri, Mamie Pearl Williams Haynes of Peachtree City, Georgia, and Nathan Williams of Atlanta, Georgia; stepchildren Martha Barnum, Hilton (Amanda) Payne, Jr., Bobby (Alice) Payne, Sr., Jeanette Payne, and Annette Payne, all of Americus, Georgia. Eight grandchildren Melanie Robinson, Arian Williams, Alex Williams, Brooke Holloway, Jason (Shana) Holloway, Akel Robinson, Whitney Williams; twelve step grandchildren; a host of great grandchildren; former son-in-law, Clifford Robinson; devoted nephew, Eddie Charles Jones; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.