Martha Clark Payne

Whittier - Martha Ruth Clark Payne, 84, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at CarePartners Solace Center.

Martha was born in Scotland County, North Carolina to the late Marvin and Josephene Norton Clark. She loved the Lord, gospel music, reading, gardening and flowers. Martha enjoyed sitting on the porch in her rocking chair with her beloved family whom she cherished. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church but attended Whittier Church of God after moving to that vicinity.

She is survived by her husband, J C Payne, Sr.; a daughter, Sandra Murray; two sons, Russell and Richard Dowless; a brother, Charles Clark Armstrong of Maryland; half-brother of Laurinburg; three grandchildren, Amy Stiles Dillard, Chris Worley, and Samuel Murray; and two great-grandchildren, Alexis and Allison Dillard.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with the Reverend Dennis Burrell and Bishop Adam West officiating. Burial will follow at at Fairview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Appalachian Funeral Services is in charge of the arrangements.