October 21, 1936 to October 3, 2023 Joyce Burke Payne of Keystone Heights, FL, was born in Jacksonville to Homer and Lillian Burke. She grew up in Jacksonville attending Duval County schools. She was the next to the last child of 12. During her childhood, a neighbor took her and her sisters to church. She walked the church aisle to get her name written in the Lambs Book of Life. After becoming a wife, mother, and grandmother, she realized that the childhood decision had not included a repentance and turning from her sin. She faithfully shared her testimony, with anyone who would listen, that she had been a lost church member up to that point. She repented of her sin and asked Jesus Christ to be her Savior and Lord receiving the peace and assurance that her name was NOW written in the Lambs Book of Life. Over her lifetime, she was a member of Baptist churches in Jacksonville; locally, First Baptist Church of Keystone Heights, Hope Baptist Church, and a charter member of Freedom Baptist Church. She met and married the love of her life, George Payne, in 1953. Their first date was to a gospel sing on August 26th and they married just a short while later at the home of her parents. They moved to Lake Geneva, FL in 1958. She was a dedicated homemaker all her adult life and a Clay County School Bus Driver for 21 years. She was dedicated to her husband and loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also loved music, especially southern gospel, and the old hymns. She was a wonderful cook and baker. Cakes, pies, baby back ribs.... anything that cooks in the oven. She was most famous for her chicken n dumplings, Missouri cookies and lemon squares. She also liked to spend time at their mountain home and to sew and quilt. Joyce battled cancer for 3.5 years. The family knew she would have a good day if she was up early working in the kitchen cooking or baking. Her freezer would be full of sweet treats for husband George and anyone who came to visit. She would ask family, caregivers, and visitors to sing the old hymns and to pray for her before leaving. One of her last requests of the Lord was for her to be an encouragement to others. She is preceded in death by her parents, 10 siblings and grandson Timothy Edwards. She is survived by her husband, George, of 70 years; daughters, Angie (Kenny) Church, Kathy (Larry) Edwards and son George, Jr (Angie). Grandchildren: Lana Tran, Kara Jones, Curtis Edwards, Savannah Payne, Micah Tyler Payne, and Hannah Payne. Great grandchildren: Gillian Edwards, Maura Tran, Ben Tran, Ayden Jones, Alice Edwards, Brooke Edwards, Kael Edwards, Granger Payne, Noah Edwards, and Maycee Payne; sister, Lillian Michael and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, October 8, 2023, from 4 - 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 9, 2023, at the Lake Swan Graham Chapel with Pastor Shawn House officiating. Interment will be at Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.Donations in Joyces memory may be made to Haven Hospice, Palatka, FL or Lake Swan Camp, Melrose, FL. Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, FL 32656. (352) 473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com. Cemetery Hope Baptist Church Cemetery 3900 State Road 100 Starke FL 32091 US Viewing Sunday, October 8, 2023 4:00 AM - 6:00 PM Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL 32656 US (352) 473-3176 Funeral Service Monday, October 9, 2023 11:00 AM - Lake Swan Camp 647 State Road 26 Melrose FL 32666 US Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL - 32656 US (352) 473-3176