Elinor Patricia Payne

Elinor Patricia “Pat” Payne went to her heavenly home on July 23rd, 2025. She was born April 24th, 1937, in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Pat was the first of five daughters born to Laura and George Peters. Her faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ began as a young girl and continued throughout her life. Pat attended Elizabethton High School and enjoyed playing in the band. After graduating from East Tennessee State in 1958, Pat came to Knoxville to teach. She taught students for 35 years in Knoxville City and Knox County Schools. She enjoyed teaching music to children through songs, instruments, and culture. Pat played the piano, oboe, autoharp, dulcimer, recorder, and Orff instruments. Pat and her husband, Reuben Saunders “Sandy” Payne, met at First Presbyterian Church through his sister Mary Mellen. They married in 1960 and joined Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in the mid 1960’s. Their commitment to each other and their daughters Laura and Susan were foundational to their lives. Their grandchildren Daniel, Sarah, and David brought much joy to them. They enjoyed traveling together and supporting the Vols. Pat served in Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church women’s ministries, Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority for Women Educators, and Knox County Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed stenciling, developing a merchandise business, The Mellen Patch, and going to the merchandise market in Atlanta with family and friends. She researched family genealogy, which included traveling in this country and England. She was an avid reader. During Covid, Pat started learning French through the Duo Lingo app with her granddaughter Sarah. She served as a judge for the East TN PBS Scholars Bowl and was inducted into the UT Educators Hall of Honor. One of her greatest joys was studying and sharing the Word of God. She will be remembered for good conversations. Her wisdom and encouragement benefitted many. Her life could be characterized by the hymn, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.” Pat was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She will be greatly missed by her daughters Laura Payne and Susan Prevost (Mac), grandchildren Daniel Henson (Megan), Sarah Henson, David Henson, sisters Sue Farthing, Dottie Peters, Kathy Nunamaker (Lawrence), Janet Denny, nieces, nephews, and friends. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Wellpark Health and Rehabilitation and The Nursing Center at Little Creek for their love and support. A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on Monday, August 4th, at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in the chapel at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church Missions Fund, 9132 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923, or the Knox County Retired Teachers Scholarship Foundation, 711 N. Hall of Fame Drive Knoxville, TN 37917.

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Elinor Patricia Payne

April 24, 1937 - July 23, 2025