V. Eileen Payne

V. Eileen Payne, 78, of Oak Grove, MO entered into rest on Friday, December 28, 2024 surrounded by loved ones.  Memorial Services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2025 at First Baptist Church Oak Grove, Oak Grove, MO. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until service time at the church.  

Eileen was born February 19, 1946 in Portland, Oregon to Otto and Annabelle Cook.  She married Gary Payne on December 19, 1967 and together they enjoyed many adventures in life. Among one of her favorite things was riding alongside Gary in their prized convertible in car show parades and tossing donated teddy bears to the excited children.  Eileen was employed at Harmon Electronics, was a bank teller, a children’s Nursery Attendant at First Baptist Church and provided at-home daycare in Oak Grove. She also held the proud title as President of the Elvis Fan Club for 4 years.   She was a huge fan of chocolate covered strawberries, cheesecake, and strawberry margaritas, and a master spaghetti chef and lobster lover.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: James Cook of Leesville, Louisiana, Rick Cook of Jasper, Missouri and her son, Tim Payne, who passed in 2005.

Eileen is survived by her wonderful husband of 57 years, Gary; siblings: Loretta Reynolds of Moline IL, Art Cook of Las Vegas; daughters: Melody Payne of Oak Grove, Natalie Phillips of North KC, Gary Gene Payne of Oak Grove, Jason Payne of Oak Grove, 10 nieces and nephews, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home ~ Oak Grove, MO (816) 690-4441