Grace Joanne Carmella Fina Payne, age 82, passed away surrounded by her family on July 14, 2022.
She was born June 22, 1940, to Mike and Josephine Fina. She spent most of her childhood in Chicago Heights before moving to Oklahoma City with her family at the age of 15. While Grace was less than thrilled to move to Oklahoma City, she quickly grew to love the city. She attended Mount St. Mary’s High School, where she enjoyed music and spending time with her friends and family.
Upon graduating high school she met the love of her life, Donald Payne, and was engaged to him after just two short weeks. They were married August 26, 1959, in Oklahoma City. Donald and Grace enjoyed 61 years of marriage together. Through that marriage they were blessed with four boys: Donald, Danny, Michael and Douglas.
Her boys were the light of her life and, while she was not a very tall woman, she was mighty when it came to keeping her boys in line. She took her role as mother very seriously and was always a caretaker for all of the boys and their friends that would end up at the house. After the boys were grown she gained the title of grandma to six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
When Grace was not busy with her family, she enjoyed being an amazing seamstress. If you have ever seen her work, you know that she put everything she had into all the pieces she would create.
She loved making items for the family. She has left so many wonderful things behind -from clothes for the boys and wedding dresses for her daughters-in-law, to quilts for numerous family members to have as keepsakes from her. She was not only a wonderful seamstress but she loved to be in the kitchen making Italian food for the family.
Grace was a wife, mother, homemaker, seamstress, and friend to all. She left her mark on this world that will be remembered for generations to come.
Grace is preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Josephine; sister, JoAnn; and husband, Don.
She is survived by her four sons: Donald and Joyce Payne of Yukon; Danny and Toni Payne of Blanchard; Michael and Wayne Conant-Payne of Piedmont; and Douglas and Judy Payne of Yukon; grandchildren, Jeremy; Stephanie and fiancé Jace; Joseph and partner Erica; Peter; Bonnye; Cristina; William; Lauren and husband Tony; great-grandchildren, Sophia, Jace, Liam, Lydia and Harper; brother, George Fina; and sister, Carmella Gilbert. Grace will be remembered by all who met and loved her, including extended family and friends.
There will be no public viewing, but family and friends are welcome to sign the registry book and extend their condolences from 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2022. Wake and rosary service will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Yanda & Son Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 22, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, Yukon, Oklahoma, with a private entombment at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, Oklahoma.
