Mrs. Dorothy Mae McNeill-Payne

Mrs. Dorothy M. McNeill-Payne, 88, formerly of Harnett Co., passed away, Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Dorothy Mae Payne, a woman of faith and resilience, was born on June 26, 1935, to the late Herbert and Reverand Mary Isabella McNeill in Harnett County, NC. She was the sole surviving child of their seventeen children, nine girls and eight boys. In her formidable years, she attended Cedar Grove and later Shawtown School, where she learned to sew her own clothes. Dorothy's faith was a guiding light in her life, nurtured in her early years at Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church. Later, she found a spiritual home at Cedar Grove AME Zion Church in Lillington, NC, where she gained salvation through Jesus Christ. Her service to the church was marked by her melodious voice in the choir and her unwavering support for her family.

Enduring the heartbreak of her brother's passing, Dorothy showed remarkable resilience as she journeyed to Roseville, MI, with her sister Mary. It was here that she crossed paths with Benjamin Joseph Payne Jr., whom she married in 1952. On April 24, 2024, Dorothy was called to her heavenly home, leaving behind a legacy of strength and courage. 

Mrs. Dorothy’s public viewing will be at Saint Augustine and Saint Monica Church on 4151 Seminole Street in Detroit, MI, on May 4, 2024 @ 10:00AM. The Celebration of Life will follow @ 11:30AM, following the guidelines of the church for entrance and capacity.

My mother loved flowers while she was alive and could smell them. Momma wouldn't want too much spent on flowers at her funeral, so donations, cards, and contributions send to: The Dorothy Payne Memorial, PO Box 5491, Concord, NC 28027.

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