Virginia Howard Payne

Virginia Howard Payne, age 92, resident of Gulfport, passed away on Sunday, September 07, 2014 at Memorial Hospital. Virginia was born November 4, 1921, in Jackson, Tennessee. Virginia lived on the Gulf Coast for most of her life. She also lived in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, Jack Payne, where she worked for the Federal Government as a Loan Officer. Virginia was a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club and First Presbyterian Church. She was loved by everyone that knew her. She was very loving, giving, and a caring soul; a gentle southern bell. She was always very peaceful and full of laughter. Words alone cannot express how beautiful Virginia was, inside and out. She was an avid bird watcher and gardener. She adored her morkie puppy, Abbey. One of her favorite things to do was to explore many new places with her dear friend, Pete Kinard. She also enjoyed visits from her long-time friends, Jerry and Joan Myers, as well as George and Carol Stoba, and Nivia Queiroz from Brasil. She also adored playing with her great-great niece, Natalie Queiroz. She is preceded in death by her mother, Cora Howard, father Jodie Howard, her brother, Joseph Howard, and two sisters, Amelia Broome and Dorothy Trosper. She will be greatly missed by her family that loved her dearly: her niece, Gail Rodgers; Chuck Rodgers; great niece; Cara Rodgers; Felipe Queiroz, great great neice, Natalie Queiroz; great niece, Carley Rodgers; great niece, Rachel Milner; great nephew, Chris Milner; great niece, Robin Milner; Robert Milner, Jr. and many other relatives from other states. God gained another beautiful angel. She will ALWAYS be in our hearts and will never be forgotten. Virginia’s service will be held at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home 1726 15th Street in Gulfport on Tuesday, September 16. Visitation will be held at 10 am; the service will begin at 11 am. Everyone is welcome to attend.