Mary Katherine Eurick Payne

Mary Katherine Payne died peacefully on August 2^nd, 2016 at the age of 87. Mary Katherine was born February 19^th, 1929 in Greensboro, Alabama, the daughter of Lavada Thomas Eurick and Bernard C. Eurick.

Mary Katherine was a loving daughter, sister, mother, wife, and friend. In 1950, at the age of 21 and after completing college at Montevallo, she married the late Taylor Jones Payne. Through their 59 years of marriage, Mary Katherine and Taylor were members of Dalraida Methodist, St. James United Methodist, and First United Methodist. Mr. and Mrs. Payne carried out their devoted educational careers in Montgomery, Alabama. Mary Katherine taught predominantly 4^th grade at Capitol Heights, Bellingrath, and Trinity; held office within Delta Kappa Gamma; and was recently inducted into Trinity Presbyterian School’s Hall of Fame. She was often mentioned in students’ Valedictorian speeches as “the teacher that made the difference in my life.” Mary Katherine retired from teaching at the age of 71.

After the passing of Taylor, she moved to Orlando and eventually Cape Canaveral, Florida to be closer to her daughter and grand children. For two years she lived with Marianne and Eric in Artesia condos on the beach. Then Mary Katherine made several new friends where she lived in an apartment, independently, at Courtenay Springs Village on Merritt Island for four years. During these six years, Mary Katherine attended First United Methodist Church, Cocoa Beach.

Mary Katherine Payne is survived by her only child, Marianne Payne (Eric) Pluchino; 3 grandchildren, Dustin (Amanda) Reaves, Darian (Stephan) Babb, Jessica Pluchino; 2 great grandchildren, Austin and Blake Reaves; nieces; nephews; great nieces; great nephews. Mary Katherine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Taylor; and her brother Clyde Eurick.

Services will be held August 6^th, 2016, 11:00 AM at Riverside Presbyterian, 3400 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wilson Place, Assisted Living Facility, 117 Wilson Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 (321) 613-2867. Lastly, her family would like to thank friends, the “angels among us” at Wilson’s and Hospice, and several others for all the kindness that has been expressed through care, thoughts, and prayers.