Mary John Moore Payne, 95, passed away at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington on Jan. 18, 2024. 

She was born in Lynchburg on Feb. 21, 1928, grew up on Diamond Hill, and was a graduate of Lynchburg High School and Mary Washington College.  After college she taught in Richmond and in 1952 married Leonard Kimball Payne Jr. of Norfolk.  They relocated to Lynchburg and started raising a family.  Mary John was a member of the Junior League of Norfolk and Lynchburg. 

When the family relocated to Lexington, Mary John taught in the Lexington city school system.  After her teaching career she was active as a small businesswoman and community volunteer in Lexington.  She was a founder and co-owner of the Pappagallo Shop, served on the Lexington School Board, and was a member of the Lexington Downtown Development Association, the Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce, the United Way board, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  After retirement Mary John and her husband moved to Irvington to be close to the water. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Leonard Kimball Payne Jr.; her parents, William Muse Moore Jr. and Dorothy Dillard Moore; her brother, William Muse Moore III; her sister, Anne Hodges Moore; and her son, William Hodges Payne. 

Mary John is survived by her son, Leonard Kimball Payne III (Leslie); daughter Elizabeth Tazewell Payne Rinehart (Phil); son John Thomas Payne (Kathleen); eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

There will be a private ceremony with interment in Norfolk later this summer.  The family of Mary John would like to express its deep appreciation to the staff of the Health Care Center of Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury for their outstanding and compassionate care.