Gloria Ellen Payne

1952 - 2021

In the early hours of June 7, 2021 Gloria Ellen Payne went to her heavenly home after a valiant and difficult battle with the effects of long term medical issues. Gloria was born to Arnold and Mary Kimble in Lodi on November 14, 1952. Her childhood was spent in the Acampo area where she attended Houston School and Lodi High School, graduating from both with high academic honors. After two years at Stockton's Delta Community College she transferred to California State University, Sacramento and graduated Magna Cum Laude in Liberal Arts. Her educational goal was to be an elementary school teacher so she enrolled in the Teacher Credential program which led her to becoming a Reading Specialist. She taught at Dudley Elementary in Antelope, CA for six years before leaving to have her children. In 1976 Gloria married Wallace Payne at St Anne's Catholic Church and they remained as one until her death. Gloria and Wally had four children, Christina (& John) Westbrook, Wallace (& Katie) Payne, Byron (& Karen) Payne and Victoria (& Andrew) Beeler. Gloria simply radiated pure joy with her two grandchildren Jasper and Fiona. Gloria is also survived by her Aunt Darlene Fuso and two cousins Tony and David Fuso along with their children and grandchildren. Gloria was predeceased by her parents and Uncle Tony. As Gloria's children got older, she went back to teaching reading at Spinelli School also in the Center Unified School District where she helped many young students achieve reading success. With time she transitioned to a second grade teacher back at Dudley Elementary where she taught until her retirement in 2016, having achieved 25 years of teaching young students in the Antelope area of Sacramento. Gloria was a kind and gentle person with never a cross word with anyone. She loved her family and students and was always striving to ensure they did their best to reach for the stars. She will be missed by a cadre of fellow teachers, personal friends and her family as she always had a positive and profound effect on each and every person with whom she came in contact.
Services will be held in her home town of Lodi, CA with visitation on Wednesday June 16 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Vineyard Chapel located on the grounds of Cherokee Memorial Park. Rosary will follow from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. A Catholic Mass will be held at 10:00 am at St Anne's Church, located in mid-town Lodi followed by graveside services at Cherokee Memorial Park's Garden of Freedom at 11:30am. A reception will be held at the Eagle's Hall (#848) on Lockeford Street. The Hall will be opened by 11:30 am with the family arriving by 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers Gloria would prefer a donation to a charity of your choice as people helping people is the greatest gift of all. Giving your loved ones a special hug and to say that you love them is a way to demonstrate the love Gloria had for her family.