Joan Diane Payne Erwin

Joan Diane Payne Erwin, 76, of Charlotte, N.C., died peacefully in her beloved home May 10, 2023, surrounded by family.

She bravely fought metastatic breast cancer for eight years. She never gave up, determined to be there for her family and friends. She remained positive in her fight to move forward with chemotherapy, several surgeries and radiation with a smile and warm greeting and homemade treats for her doctors, nurses and staff at Levine Cancer Institute. Joan truly personified the values of a Proverbs 31 woman. A faithful servant of the Lord, a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, she protected and served her family, friends and those in need of help. A humble and kind steward of her gifts from God, she spread her love and kindness freely.

Joan was born Nov. 12, 1946, in Maryville to Ralph and Lottie Taylor Payne of Violet, N.C. She graduated from Everett High School in Maryville and attended Draughon's Business College in Knoxville. She met her future husband, Mark Wylea Erwin, at the University of Tennessee while working as the secretary for the manager of the cafeteria. Mark asked her to marry him after just a few months and her response was, "I love you but am not sure I am ready to marry, so you have to give me two weeks alone to think about it." Fortunately for Mark, she consented and they married Aug. 24, 1968. She was a legal secretary during their early years in Chicago before Mark was relocated to the New York City office of United Parcel Service. While there, Joan attended and graduated from The New York School of Interior Design. They moved to New Jersey and later, Ridgefield, Conn., where both of her daughters were born. As she wrote in her memoir, her dream had come true, and she began her career as a wife and mother.

They moved to Lake Wylie, S.C., in 1978 and later to Charlotte. She loved to be involved at River Hills Community Church and always loved to be volunteer at her daughters' schools over the years. She was a talented and gracious hostess to many holiday parties for her husband's office, fundraisers and various events. She and Mark traveled the world and made dear friends over the years, including living overseas in Mauritius, making the quintessential ambassador's wife. She loved making holidays special for her family and friends, and especially her beloved grandchildren. She never turned down an opportunity to spend time with them and was always eager to help with their care. She spent her life gathering memories and loved to make scrapbooks for loved ones. She loved spending time at their mountain home in Banner Elk in the summer with her family. Her grandchildren have many special memories with her at the annual family beach trip at "The Farmer's House" in DeBordieu.

She was famous for her baking and especially her strawberry jam. Each year, she made more than 100 jars to give to friends. When strawberry season approached each year, empty jars would show up with notes hinting at a refill. In 2008, she published her cookbook, "Around the Family Table," a collection of her favorite recipes and photos of her mother and daddy, family and close friends.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Mark Erwin; daughters, Jennifer Ann Erwin and Melissa Joan "Missy" Carey (Chris); beloved grandchildren, Della Joan Erwin (18), Lila Erwin Highsmith (15), Virginia Lottie Highsmith (12) and Thomas Erwin Highsmith (7); brother, Mike Payne and his wife, Sandy, of Lenoir City; brother, Kenneth Payne of Lake Wylie, S.C.; loving sister-in-law, Pamela Erwin Morrell and Bill Morrell of Rock Hill, S.C.; and many nephews and nieces.

Special thanks go to dear friends Myra Heafner, Mae Bryant and Larry Biddy for their constant devotion. Thanks also to Dr. Lorri Ayres and Dr. Antoinette Tan for their attention to her care over the past eight years.

A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2023, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to two organizations close to her heart: Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, 165 West 46th St., Suite 712, New York, NY 10036, www.mbcn.org, and Crossnore Communities for Children, P.O. Boc 249, Crossnore, NC 28616, www.crossnore.org.