Bonnie Lee Lundstrom Payne

August 30, 1919 - September 2, 2014

Bonnie Lee Lundstrom Payne was born to Levy Lundstrom and Martha Crumley Lundstrom on August 30, 1919 (her mother’s birthday). Bonnie’s father passed away when she was 3 years old and she was raised by her mother. She attended Swedeborg Elementary School through high school and then attended Draughn Business College for a year. On March 14, 1939, Bonnie was united in marriage to Merrel Payne and to this union three sons were born, Merrel Lee, Bryce Duane and Kerry Ferrell who preceded her in death on July 15, 2013. Bonnie was committed to the Lord at the age of 14 and became a member of the Swedeborg Baptist Church until she married and moved her membership to Richland Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for 21 years. Bonnie’s first employment was approximately in 1945 as a teacher at the Flea Holler School near Swedeborg. Her salary was $16 per month. She then began working at Fort Leonard Wood where she was employed for 25 years (1955-1980) as the highest ranked worker as a document examiner for lost, damaged, or destroyed government property. Bonnie also worked for Warren’s store in Richland until she retired in 1990. Bonnie went home to be with her Lord at 10:06 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2014 in her home. She was surrounded by loving family and her dear caretakers, Barbara Payne and Rhonda Medlock who took care of Bonnie 24/7 for the last five months. She leaves to mourn in her passing, her oldest son: Merrel Lee and wife, Donna, a grandson Mark and wife Barb, two great grandchildren, Danessa and Matthew and 3 great-great grandchildren, Hayden, Owen and Joey; her middle son: Bryce and wife Susan, three grandchildren, Bryan, Travis and Amber and two great grandchildren, Tatumn and Cooper; her deceased youngest son Kerry’s wife: Rae Lynne, two grandchildren, Blake and Kerri Lyn and a great grandson, Payne; several other relatives and friends. Services were held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2014, in the First Baptist Church of Richland, with Pastor Bob Lilly and Pastor David Brown officiating. Merrel Breyer sang "The Old Rugged Cross,” and also led the congregation as they sang, "How Great Thou Art," accompanied by pianist Marleen Brown. Serving as escorts were Dane Smith, Tim Hardesty, Mark Tallant, Rod McBriarity, Gary Henson and Merrel Breyer. Burial followed in the Bethlehem Cemetery, Swedeborg, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Bonnie Payne and may be left at the First Baptist Church of Richland or Memorial Chapel of Richland.