Mary Eleanor "Mel" Wiley Payne

View Video Tribute  View Funeral Webcast  Mary Eleanor “Mel” Wiley Payne, 78, retired employee of South Central Bell and resident of Columbia, died Monday, February 18, 2019 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 7:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends Friday from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born September 25, 1940 in Maury County, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Wiley and the late Eleanor Blalock Wiley. On November 21, 1991, she married Lee Roy “Petey” Payne, Jr., who preceded her in death February 22, 2018. A 1958 graduate of Columbia Central High School, Mrs. Payne had worked as a Service Representative at South Central Bell for several years. In her younger days, she enjoyed growing flowers and working in the yard. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed sewing, crocheting and knitting. Other interests include making lamps, playing cards, and going to garage sales. She and Mr. Payne enjoyed many relaxing hours at their camp on Shoal Creek in Alabama, where she loved boating. Mrs. Payne always enjoyed life and recognized the importance of family and friends. She was a member of Highland Church of Christ. Survivors include her daughter, Jan Knight of Franklin; grandsons, Weston Barrett of Columbia and Luke Barrett of Franklin; great granddaughter, Adalyn Barrett of Columbia; sister, Lavonne Oakes of Columbia; step-sons, Ben (Barb) Payne of Texas, Lee (Chris) Payne of North Carolina, Matt Payne and Josh (Rhonda) Payne, both of Missouri; five step grandchildren; niece, Julie Oakes (Patrick) Harlan of Columbia; nephew, John D. (Cheryl) Oakes of Columbia; two great nieces, Katherine Harlan and Madeline Harlan; and two great nephews, John David Oakes and Will Oakes.