Ms. Elna Ruth Avery Payne, age 86, of Rome, GA, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

     Ms. Payne was born in Floyd County, GA, on November 21, 1939, daughter of the late Howard Wyatt Avery and the late Ava Lee Ayers Avery. She was also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Tammy Payne, and by 3 siblings, Doris Venette Billings, Truett Avery, and William “Bill” Avery. Ms. Payne was a graduate of Rome High School. She worked for 2 years at Southern Bell as a switchboard operator before beginning her long career with the Floyd County Board of Education. Ms. Payne served for 7 years as a school bus driver before beginning a career that spanned over 30 years as the district receptionist in the main office of the Board of Education. She was a faithful and active member of Garden Lakes Baptist Church, singing in the choir and participating in any church event she could.

     Ms. Payne was truly a one-of-a-kind woman. Never one to complain about her circumstances, she always seemed to pick herself up and do whatever was necessary to provide a stable and loving home for her children. Ms. Payne was witty and had an amazing sense of humor, keeping her family laughing and smiling constantly. She loved cooking and taking care of her family and providing food was definitely her love language. Ms. Payne always had her children in church and constantly kept their relationship with God in the forefront of their home life. Above all else, she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and is now rejoicing at His feet for eternity.

     Survivors include her three children, George Randall “Butch” Payne, Jr. (Wendy), David Payne, and Rebecca Ann Payne, all of Rome; 3 grandchildren, Tiffany Horton, George Randall “Trey” Payne, III, (Mary Margaret), and Payton Guest (Jacob); 4 great-grandchildren, Sam Horton, Duke Horton, Payne Guest, and George Payne; 2 sisters, Jane Donahue and Sharon Parker; numerous nieces and nephews.

     Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Garden Lakes Baptist Church with her pastor, the Rev. David Taylor, officiating. Interment will follow in Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery.

     The family will receive friends from 12pm until service time on Wednesday at Garden Lakes Baptist Church.

     Pallbearers are to assemble by 1:30pm on Wednesday at Garden Lakes Baptist Church, and include: Joe Baker, Steve Billings, Bruce Price, Jacob Guest, Frank Russo-Alesi, and Dennis Remington.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Garden Lakes Baptist Church, 2200 Redmond Circle, Rome, GA 30165, or by clicking here.

     Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, Oaknoll Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Ms. Elna Ruth Avery Payne.