Sharon Payne

Time is not measured by the years you live, but by the good deeds you sow and the joy you give others. For this reason, on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, God saw fit to call one of His precious children, Sharon Kay Payne, home into His gracious keeping.

Sharon Kay Payne was born October 24th, 1956, in Nashville, TN, to Jacqueline (Jackie) Sweatt and C.B. Howse Jr. She received her education in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System, graduating from Cohn High School, and attended the University of Tennessee at Nashville. She professed her faith in Christ at the early age of 14, being baptized at Foster Chapel Baptist Church. She continued her walk with God and was a current member of New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church.

In 1977, she met her soul mate, Maurice G. Payne, Sr., becoming his devoted wife on January 1st, 1979, spending 46 wonderful years together.

Sharon worked as Assistant Manager of Haynes Garden Apartments, retiring after 18-plus years. She was known by everyone, never meeting a stranger. She was always willing to help any and everyone who came across her path.

Sharon leaves to cherish her loving memory, her devoted husband, Maurice G. Payne, Sr., daughters, Crystal Hill and Tocarro Payne, and son, Maurice G. Payne, Jr. (Brittiney); loving mother, Jacqueline (Jackie) Sweatt; brothers Eddie (Darrell) and Antonio (Tony); sisters Paulette (Charles Featherston), Marilyn, Valarie, and Larissa (Earl Perry); five grandchildren, Accente' "AJ", TaNiya, Mikaela, Amirah and Ariah, two great-grandchildren; Accente', Jr., and Harlee, god-daughter Tearnia Caruthers; devoted friends Archielene Armstrong and Yvonne Caruthers, and a host of relatives and friends.