Vernelle Hughes Payne

PAYNE, Vernelle Hughes, 95 years old, of Goochland, Virginia, died peacefully at home on July 24, 2025. The oldest child of A. Carlyle Hughes and Lacy Carter Hughes, both deceased, she has left behind to cherish her memory children, Juanita Pritchett (Louie), Diane Eversole (Irvin), Roy Payne (Debbie) and Karen Payne, along with her grandchildren, Jill Wiles (Jimmy), Priscilla Nemetz (John), Lauren Payne, Krystle Lang and Lacy Lang, and great-grandchildren, Tonia, Lincoln, Stella and Kaysen. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.

Vernelle leaves one surviving sister-in-law, Doris Hughes, as she was preceded in death by sisters: Margaret H. Payne (Charles), Betty Lou Sharpe (Earl), Mary Ruth Davidson (John) and brother, A. Carter Hughes.

Vernelle had a long and loving life and was predeceased by husbands, Floyd E. Payne, father of her children, James E. Smith, and Marvin G. Payne.

Fiercely independent and self-reliant, she graduated from Goochland High School and began to work. Except for 5 years that she stayed home after the youngest child was born, she worked in clerical work until retirement age and then returned to work part-time for several more years. She loved to travel (but not too far - 'Dollywood' was a favorite destination), dancing on Saturday night, and eating out. But her happiest times were with her children and grandchildren and there were lots of happy times. She was fun-loving and adventurous. And there was always church on Sunday - she was a lifelong member of Forest Grove Christian Church.

We will all be forever grateful to have had Mama as long as we did and find peace in knowing she is now dancing in heaven with dear, sweet Marvin.

Services will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Forest Grove Christian Church, with 1:00 p.m. visitation, 2:00 p.m. funeral and interment to follow in the church cemetery.