Sandra Diana Townsend Payne

Sandra D. Payne ~ Gone But Not Forgotten

The epitome of elegance and steadfast faith, with her family at her bedside, Sister Sandra Diana Waldon Payne entered Eternal rest on October 12, 2023, at the age of seventy-three.

A blessed event took place on August 19, 1950, in the community of Austin, Texas, when John Townsend and Pearlie Carrington Townsend gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby girl, Sandra Diana Townsend.

Sandra attended the public schools of Austun Independent School District and graduated in 1968 from Johnston High School.  Furthering her education, she obtained an Associate degree and worked for the City of Austin as a benefit specialist for a number of years before retiring.

Sandra became an active member of the Winn’s Memorial Baptist Church in Elgin, Texas under the pastoral leadership of her brother, the Reverend D. W. Townsend.  Her extreme hospitality and friendship were felt among the members of the church and the surrounding community. She counted it a joy to come full circle in her faith under his leadership. Sister Payne was a loving, and spiritual woman, one that feared the Lord but loved him dearly.  She participant with Sunday School, Women Ministry and served on the Trustee Board.

Sandra loved shopping and enjoyed cooking for her family. Her favorite ‘me time ‘ was internet shopping especially the Paparazzi Jewelry, which she had enough of sets to open her own store.  Sandra was a fan of the old black and white western shows, watching them over and over.  Her home became “Grammy Cheese” for her grandchildren because her home was their special place. Sandra and her BFFs spent their quantity time together, eating out.

Awaiting her arrival in Glory are her biological father, John Townsend, her mother Pearlie Davis; her Dad, L. D. Davis, her grandparents, Elo Johnson, and Annie Carrington Cozine; her brother, Larry Davis; three aunts, Mary Jane Reed, Viola Gilstrap and Dorothy Mae Monroe; and seven uncles, A. J. Carrington, James B. Carrington, Floyd Carrington, Willie Carrington, Obi Carrington, Ernest Carrington, and Harvey G. Johnson; and two nieces, Pearl Townsend, and Tomika Ross.

Sister Sandra D. Payne’s beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her husband, Brian David Payne; three daughters, Carla Clark, Tiana and her husband, Deacon Henry Bills, and Valerie Payne; six grandchildren, Dae’Quan Alexander, Tae’Ja Harrison, Miariah Peaches, Jakobe Johnson, Curtis Wilson, III, and Kiana Payne; three sisters, Joyce and husband, Stephen Campbell, Barbara Townsend, and Stella and husband, Julian Jasmin; two brothers, John Townsend and wife, Beauty and Reverend David Townsend and wife, Rose,  her best friends, Cynthia Priest, Ruby Montgomery, and Pamela Scott; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives; including the Winn’s Memorial Church family.

Family and friends will gather for a viewing at Elgin Funeral Home, Friday, October 27th at 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  A Celebration of Life will be conducted at Winn's Memorial Baptist Church, Saturday, October 28th at 11:00 AM with Reverend D. W. Townsend, presiding.  Interment will follow at Cook Walden Cemetery in Austin, Texas.