Ruth Mary Payne was born August 21, 1948 in Mason, Tennessee. She was the first child of the late John T. Payne and Aline Frances Hodge Payne. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age at Alexander Methodist Church, Mason, Tennessee. Ruth moved to Lansing, Michigan in 1965 and was a long-time member of Trinity A. M. E. Church, until her death. While at Trinity, Ruth served as President of the Usher Board, Financial Secretary of the Church, President of the Lay Organization, Treasurer of the Missionary, and most recently, as a Stewardess. Ruth graduated from J. W. Sexton High School in 1967. She received a B.B.A. Degree in 1983 from Northwood University and was working toward her Masters degree in Accounting. Ruth started work with the State of Michigan in 1968 with the Department of Commerce. She transferred to the Department of Natural Resources in 1988, as a financial analyst. Ruth retired from the Department of Natural Resources in 2002. She was a licensed Cosmetologist and realtor. Ruth taught at Waverly High School and Lansing Community College. She was also a Mary Kay Consultant and an Avon Representative. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Theta Rho Zeta Chapter and the International F. & A. M. Masons, Order of Eastern Star, Eleanor Rosevelt Chapter 16 of Lansing, Michigan Ruth was fond of traveling and enjoyed speaking at functions for her church, family and friends. She was always ready to encourage others through the scriptures, with prayer, and with encouraging words. Ruth was preceded in death by: her parents, grandmothers, Lula Payne, Lucrecia Hodge, and Roxie Hodge; grandfather, Calvin Hodge; and brothers, John R. Payne, Robert A. Payne, and Carl Peete. Ruth departed this life on June 18, 2013, 2:09 pm, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, with her devoted and loving family at her bedside. She leaves to cherish her memory: her sons, Roderic R. Payne of Lansing and Gerald D.(LaTesha) James of Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandsons, Roderic R. Payne, Jr. of Lansing, Jacob D. (Natalie) Payne of Hollywood Hills, California, Davonte James of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jalon Payne of Lansing; brothers, William E. (Zola) Payne of Lansing and Jerome (Cynthia) Peete of Memphis, Tennessee; sisters, Freddie Bonner of Jackson, Tennessee, Patricia A. (Henry) Taylor of Memphis, Tennessee, Jackie Curry of Memphis, Delphene (Nathaniel) Albritton of Madison, Tennessee; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ms. Payne will lie in repose on Sunday, June 23, 12-7 pm with the family receiving friends from 5-7 pm at the Riley Funeral Home, 426 W. St. Joesph St. , Lansing MI 48933. The funeral services will be held on Monday, June 24, 11:00 am, at Trinity A.M.E Church, 3500 W. Holmes Rd. Lansing, MI 48911