Laura Elizabeth Payne

Laura Elizabeth Cloyed-Payne was born September 21, 1911 at Mohawk, MO. She died Friday, October 19, 2007 at the age of 96 years and 28 days. She was the third daughter of E.C. (Bud) and Lunnie Zumwalt. On June 25, 1941, She married Fred E. Cloyed who preceded her in death on August 8, 1980. Laura is survived by two children and their spouses; Jerry and Suzanne Cloyed of Lamar and Joan and Dale Cox of Polk; four granddaughters and their spouses; Valerie and Bernie Waggoner of Lamar, Laura and Jon White of Shawnee Mission, KS., Karen and Cliff Speegle of Overland Park, KS., Teresa and Jonathan Bishop of Bolivar; and three great-grandchildren; Jacob and Jenna Waggoner and Drew White. Also surviving are a sister, Johnnie Shipley and a brother-in-law, Ed Cloyd, both of Bolivar. Several nieces, nephews and their families survive. Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Lunnie Zumwalt; her five sisters and their husbands; Visa and Phil Clampitt, Berniece and Jettie Sallee, Ada and Jack Clowdus, Dorothy and Harlan Hopkins and one unmarried sister, Margaret Zumwalt; one nephew, Gene Clampitt; two brothers-in-law, John Shipley and Alford Emory; two sisters-in-law, Naomi Emory and Florence Cloyd. On November 13, 1985, she married Frank Payne who preceded her in death; however, she had gained a wonderful stepfamily. The following survive: her stepchildren: Gervais and Georgia Payne, Bolivar, Ralph and Bernice Payne, MT., Mary Jane (Payne) and Wayne Elliott, Polk; Step grandchildren; Lendon and Marja-Lisa Payne, St. Louis, David and Ann Payne, Polk, Russell Payne, Brenda (Payne) and Ron McMichael, John and Kerri Payne, Tammy (Payne) and Matt Smith all of MT., Susan (Elliott) and David Goodwin, OK., and Greg and Malinda Elliott, CA. Also surviving are thirteen step-great grandchildren and four step-great-great grandchildren. Laura was saved at an early age and attended Fairview Methodist Church at Huron while growing up. She was a member and former Sunday School teacher at Mt. View Missionary Baptist Church at Polk. Laura began first grade at Cliquot but early in the year, the family moved to a farm NW of Fairview Church at Huron. She completed school at Greenleaf through the ninth grade. Then she attended the academy of Southwest Baptist College, finally finishing at Bolivar High School. Since the Bolivar Schools' superintendent would not count her ninth grade credits, she did not receive a diploma. However, she passed the teachers' exam at the county superintendent's office in the courthouse. She took classes that summer at Southwest Baptist College and taught at Greenleaf that year of 1933-34. She continued this schedule until she graduated in August 1938, with an Associates Degree in Elementary Education. She was a teacher in eight rural schools and at Goodson, HalfWay and Bolivar. She taught 29.5 years. She was pleased when former students recognized her. They frequently had good comments of how she has influenced their lives and that she was a favorite teacher. One former student remembers that during her own teacher's training, a professor talked of the latest education theory-the Buddy System. The student replied, "That's not new. Mrs. Cloyed taught us that way several years ago!" Laura and her six sisters had a good life on the family farm. They worked hard, but they also had fun times with each other, extended family and neighborhood friends. They rode their horse, Old Joe, for errands, farm work and fun. They quilted and picked nuts and berries to earn money. They created many good memories. Fred and Laura lived in St. Louis for the first five years of their marriage. Then they bought a farm NW of Polk. It was a great place to live. The family was involved in 4-H and Laura was a leader for over twenty years. During this time, Laura also attended Southwest Missouri State College and attained her Bachelor's Degree in Education. It was not easy being a farm wife and mother, teaching school and attending college! Now Joan and Dale reside on the farm and Jerry and Suzanne own adjoining land. Laura was very proud of her family. She enjoyed her "family" necklace and would gladly tell anyone which charm represented each family member. She pushed each child and grandchild to attain a college education and they did! She kept letters, pictures and mementos in wrapped and decorated shoe boxes for each of her granddaughters. In later years, Laura lived at Butterfield Residential Care Center. She was busy with activities, programs and adding pictures of her family to the apartment walls. She continued to teach, of course. One day the residents were to measure ingredients for a cake. She showed them the proper "4-H" way to measure. She especially enjoyed Bingo with SBU students on Monday evenings. She would take them to see her beautiful diploma and then talk about college in the 1930s. Each year one or two became her special friend(s). Laura had a great sense of humor and enjoyed kidding and joking. In September she enjoyed a family reunion in honor of her 96th Birthday. Her family and friends will greatly miss her; yet they are thankful that she is pain free and praising God in her Heavenly Home. Funeral Services will be at 11:00am, Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar with burial following at Payne Cemetery near Polk with Elder Jerry Crain officiating. Visitation will be from 6-7pm, Monday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Polk County Scholarship Fund % Butler Funeral Home, 407 E. Broadway, Bolivar, MO. 65613. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Laura Elizabeth Payne

September 21, 1911 - October 19, 2007