Berdine E. Payne

Berdine Ethel Warden Payne, 70, died at her home in Jonesboro, Arkansas on Sunday, April 2, 2017. She was born October 29, 1946 in Boise, Idaho and is survived by her husband of 52 years CMSgt William E. (Bill) Payne, USAF Retired, of the home and son Michael J. (Mike) Payne and wife Tammy Lovins Payne of Jonesboro. She is also survived by Grandson Brett A. Payne and his fiancé Bailey Rook, and Granddaughter Loren A. Payne of Jonesboro.

Berdine and Bill were married April 10, 1965 in Portland, Oregon. When Berdine became sick she expressed her biggest disappointment was that she would not see her Grandson Brett graduate from ASU and get married soon after. She also exhibited great pride in her Granddaughter Loren’s ability to play volleyball and basketball and regretted being unable to attend her games.

Berdine was the 8th of 15 children born to the late Melvin Leo and Ruth Della Albin Warden of Indian Valley, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Donald (Donnie), Richard (Dick), Stanley (Stan), James (Peanuts) and Dave. She was also preceded in death by sisters Barbara and Darlene. She is survived by brothers Boyd (her twin), Daryl, and Jerry and sisters Jeanette, Jane, Carol and Susan.

Berdine was a devoted Air Force wife that lived in several locations in the United States and Europe while her husband served. After retirement they moved to Jonesboro, but she never got over the desire to move to a new location ever three or four years. Berdine spent many long hours on genealogy research of her family tree and over 20 years doing research on Bill’s maternal family. She was the co-author with Bill of The Altizer Family, Sons and Daughters of the Old Dominion. This genealogy book was a great success and she still receives requests to purchase copies of it after almost 20 years. She liked to sew cross-stitch pictures, crochet, bowl, watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and one of her greatest passions was watching and recording classic black and white movies.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home. Burial will be Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 2:15 p.m. in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri.

Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.