Patricia Ann Payne

On August 29th, Heaven’s gates opened and another angel was welcomed into the fold.  Patricia Ann Payne passed away peacefully at her residence with family at her side at the age of 80 years old.  Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, September 2nd from 5 - 7 pm at Geo. J.  Carroll & Son Funeral Home.  At a later date, a private graveside service will be conducted at Fairview Cemetery.

Pat was born on August 12, 1943, in Muenster to Johnie and Hazel (Shiflet) West.  She attended grade school in Muenster, graduated from Gainesville High and later attended Cooke County College.  Pat married Don Fenley in 1962, and they were blessed with three sons; Gary Don, Dwayne and Bradley.  Later, Pat would marry Larry Payne in 1985.

She served her community in several occupations ranging from employment with Gainesville National Bank, State Farm Insurance, the City of Gainesville and then Cooke County as District Clerk for 16 years until her retirement in December of 2011.

A longtime member of Era Baptist Church, Pat served her Lord as organist for many years and continued to provide her talents while a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church.  Outside of church, she would donate her time playing at several weddings and funerals throughout Cooke County.

Pat was also known as a skilled and award-winning seamstress entering the Southwest Natural Fibers Fashion Review which was held in Fort Worth on an annual basis and placing in the top three on several occasions.  When she wasn’t sewing (which was a lot), she focused on her other talents in tatting and crocheting.

She will be remembered by her family and friends as having a witty/feisty personality and boisterous laugh.  Her contagious smile showed her care and affection towards others and was a blessing to us all.  She loved her family dearly and took so much enjoyment being a grandma to her three grandchildren who will always just remember her as their - Mimi.

Pat is survived by her son Gary Don Fenley of Gainesville, son Dwayne Fenley and wife Dana of Littlefield, son Bradley Fenley and wife Donna of Lake Dallas, step daughters Cristin Payne of Houston and Stephanie Davis and husband Tony of Lake Kiowa, grandchildren Jared Fenley of Lake Dallas, Macie Kindiger of Whitesboro, and Jacob Kindiger of Lake Kiowa along with several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Don and Larry and daughter-in-law Christy Fenley of Gainesville.