Alberta Mae Swain Payne

In the early morning hours of Thursday March 7, 2024, Mrs. Alberta Mae Swain Payne, age 96, passed away peacefully and quietly in her sleep only to wake up in her everlasting home in the loving arms of her Heavenly Father. She is survived by daughters Mary (Ron) Sandor, Patricia (Clair) Thrush, and Nancy (Daryl) Smith who were honored to work together to provide around the clock care so Alberta could remain at home until the time of her passing. Alberta was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Charles Emerson Payne, firstborn son Gene Emerson Payne and beloved grandson Matthew Charles Sandor. She is also survived by daughter-in-law: Lisa Payne, 7 granddaughters: River Payne, Jenny Payne Chappell, Eleanor Payne Briggs, Carrie Payne Pollak, Beth Payne-Young, Melissa Smith Pickering, and Monica Smith Russell; 18 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandson. Alberta was born June 4, 1927 in Troy, PA, a daughter of the late Howard and Mary Swain of Troy Pa. Alberta was the oldest of 3 siblings who have preceded her in death, Charles, Leland, and Francis Swain and survived by several nieces and nephews. How does one meaningfully sum up a deeply respected life in just a few mere words? It seems like an impossibly important task to capture and preserve in time the summary of a life. Here is an exceedingly small glimpse into the full life well lived by Alberta Payne. Alberta grew up on a modest farm in the mountains of Troy Pennsylvania where she shared stories of simpler days, traveling to school and church on the back of a horse drawn wagon and remembered a Christmas when the kitchen caught fire and she was able to escape out a window rescuing her two newly treasured gifts, a baby doll, and an orange. She was a very bright child who valued learning. Remarkably, as a senior adult, she could still recall lessons from trigonometry class! Homemade Easter outfits and school clothes for her children as they grew, wrapped chocolate bars hidden in the Christmas tree, walking the roads of Bumpville to visit family, reading entire novels in one day, quilting in the evenings in front of the large picture window, irises in her flower beds, cooking and canning home grown meals, soft molasses cookies in the cookie jar, summer swimming, broiled shrimp from winter trips to Florida, windy family reunions at the campground, and special holiday dinners are just some things that come to mind when thinking back over decades past. Alberta lived most of her life in her home overlooking Brenchley Lake just outside of Rome Pennsylvania. In 1966 Charlie and Alberta opened a campground. After his passing in 1988, she continued to manage the campground (with the help of her son Gene) and do all the mowing until she was no longer physically capable. To all who knew her, Alberta was a remarkable example of love, service, and integrity. Deep devotion to her Lord and Savior, faithfulness in relationships, care taking for her family and community, and a mind bent toward the practical and frugal, Alberta was a picture of love well lived out in sensible service to others. Alberta rarely missed a Sunday service and was a part of the church board and prayer chain at the North Rome Wesleyan Church. She met the needs of the community by voluntarily teaching 4-H sewing classes for 15 years. She led a Girl Scout Troop, youth group and taught Sunday school classes. She regularly took meals to families in need and drove elderly peers to various appointments. Alberta was acknowledged for making hundreds of quilts to gift to others to celebrate births, graduations, and weddings. She had a sharp mind and astounding memory, but her greatest attribute was undoubtedly her caring, generous, and compassionate heart. Alberta was aware and concerned about the details of the many lives of those she cherished and made it her ministry to meet the needs of others in practical and important ways. She worked generously for others until her fingers curled and swelled and could no longer be used, and still then she continued to try. She was a faithful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and a gentle, loving friend to many. To her family, she personified a life well lived. She remains a foundation of strength and a model for right living. She put love into action and demonstrated day after day the importance of her family in her life. Today we remember how she never liked to say goodbye when concluding a phone call, and today this is understood more than ever. We don’t want to say goodbye either. We will forever miss the sweet, humble yet powerful presence of Alberta Payne in this world. Friends and family are invited to visitation hours on Thursday March 14 from 4:00 – 5:00 PM with a memorial service following at North Rome Wesleyan Church. She will be laid to rest at a private family ceremony at Tioga Point Cemetery in Athens, PA. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to the North Rome Wesleyan Church Missions Program. North Rome Wesleyan Church 3374 N Rome Rd, Rome, PA 18837. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.

Alberta Mae Swain Payne

June 4, 1927 - March 7, 2024

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Alberta Mae Swain Payne

June 4, 1927 - March 7, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information