Obituary of Marie Payne

Marie Rogers Payne of Raleigh passed away Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Marie was born on September 19, 1931 in Fuquay-Varina, NC, the youngest child of the late Thomas and Mamie Ogburn Rogers. She was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Rogers and sister, Mary Ann Rogers Williams. Marie graduated from Fuquay-Varina High School in 1949 and continued her education at Woman's College in Greensboro.

Marie had an illustrious career beginning with the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation as an office secretary, moving from there to the North Carolina Baptist Foundation where she remained for 10 years. Subsequently, she served as Executive Assistant to the late Judge David M. Britt at the N.C. Court of Appeals. Marie then moved to the N.C. Supreme Court with Judge Britt when he was appointed to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court.

In the fall of 1980, Marie relocated to Washington, DC, being a chosen member of the Inaugural Committee of former President Ronald Reagan. Following this assignment she was employed as Executive Assistant to the Chief Counsel of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in Washington, DC.

Returning to Raleigh in 1985, she was employed as Executive Assistant to the Director of the North Carolina State Bar.

Due to declining health over the past several years, Marie has been unable to participate in or enjoy the many activities she enjoyed so much over the years including being able to visit with friends, family and church friends.

Marie is survived by her husband, Alfred E. Payne; daughter, Nancy Lea Denmark of Seattle, WA; son, James William "Jay" Denmark IV, his wife Deborah and an only grandchild, James "Polk" Denmark, all of Raleigh; step-daughter, Suzanna Payne Andia and her husband Bert Andia; two step-grandchildren, Gregory and Elena and several nephews and nieces.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. David J. Hailey, pastor of Hayes Barton Baptist Church officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Montlawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hayes Barton Baptist Church Music Department, Attn: Dan Ridley, 1800 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27608.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, N.C. Condolences may be made at www.montlawn.com