Beatrice B. Payne

Beatrice B. Payne, 96, of Benton Harbor, died Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at Whitcomb Towers Retirement Residence, St. Joseph, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M., Monday, July 10, 2006, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 292 Bellview, Benton Harbor, with Rev. Robert Dahl officiating. Burial of ashes will be in Crystal Springs Cemetery. Visitation is from 2:00-4:00P.M., Sunday, July 9, 2006, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Eau Claire Public Library, the Josephine Morton Memorial House. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Beatrice was born August 12, 1909, in Hagar Township to George and Josephine (Marcus) Bryant. She lived her entire life in this area. She was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School, Berrien County Normal and Western Michigan University. Beatrice married Robert A. Payne on June 2, 1934. She was a retired teacher, beginning her career at the one room Hatfield School near Niles, at age 18. She also taught at Spinks Corners, Bard and Fair Plain Schools. In 1989 she received the Margaret B. Upton Leadership Award. She was a member of the First Congregational UCC Church, Benton Harbor, where she taught Sunday school, helped organize the Church Library, served on the Church Council, the Diaconate, and served for many years as President of the Women’s Fellowship. She organized a Girl Scout troop in Sodus, and later served as Brownie leader and Cub and Boy Scout Mother. She was a Charter member of the Eau Claire Library Club and served on the Building Committee for the Eau Claire District Library. She was a volunteer for the Berrien County Cancer Service, serving as Educational Chairperson, and was Secretary to the Michigan State Cancer Society. She was a Life Member of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, and the Monday Musical Club. She was a member and served in various offices of the Frances Hinkley Guild; Twin City Ossoli; Mt. Pleasant Bay View; Berrien County Federation of Women’s Clubs; United Church Women; Executive Board of the Benton Harbor St. Joseph Federation of Women’s Club and the Josephine Morton Memorial Home. Beatrice is survived by her daughter Jo Ann (William) Nichols, son Donald (Peggy) Payne, daughter Bonnie L. Regalia; grandchildren Donald and Madolyn Nichols, Janet Payne, Colleen Kung, Stacey and Ashley Regalia; great-grandchildren Cameron and Jordan Nichols, Sydney Kung, and Claire Payne. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert A. Payne.