Virginia Albetta Payne, nee Brooks, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Thursday, June 12, 2014 in her home at the age of 89 years, 6 months and 9 days. She was born December 3, 1924 in Salem, Missouri to Elisha F. Brooks and Emma Amelia Snyder Brooks. On January 5, 1957 in Union, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Victor D. Payne who preceded her in death in 1990.

Virginia was a member of the Steelville First Baptist Church and the Gleaners Sunday school class for many years. She enjoyed gardening, reading, cooking, canning, quilting,  mushroom hunting and 4-wheeling with her son in-law, Jerry. Most of all she loved being with her family.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Amelia "Amy" Rulo and husband Jerry of Steelville, MO; one brother, Paul Brooks and wife Betty of Salem, MO; three sisters, Esther Bunch of Georgia, Elizabeth Emms of St. Louis, MO and Bertha Malone and husband Charles of Salem, MO; five grandchildren, Jeramy and Jennafer Rulo of Steelville, MO, Jason and Justin Payne of Milton, FL and Sara Payne of CA; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Victor Payne; one son, Keith Alan Payne; three sisters, Margaret Wick and husband Amuel, Ellen Craft and Mildred Rhinehart and husband Manford;  and two brother in-laws, Luke Bunch and Richard Emms.

The Family received friends from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Kevin Farr officiatinig. Special music of a medley of songs was sung by Bob and Carol Coleman. Other music of "Wind Beneath My Wings" was also played.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Salem, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Jerry Rulo, Jeramy Rulo, Robert Brooks, Dion Robinson, Larry Malone and Charles Malone with honorary casket bearers of Paul Brooks and Charles Malone, Sr.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.