Obituary of Valerie & Eli Payne

Valerie Nicole Payne, 23 years, 11 months and 21 days, and her son, Eli Michael Payne, 1 year, 3 months and 2 days of age, of Doniphan, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 8, 2016, at their home in rural Ripley County. Mrs. Payne, daughter of Chris and Brenda (Stidham) Nash, was born April 17, 1992, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She was currently employed at Vitronic Manufacturing in Doniphan. Valerie enjoyed spending time at the river, especially with her husband and children and she attended Simpson Creek General Baptist Church. On October 6, 2012, she was married to Michael Sterling Payne at Doniphan and he survives. Also surviving are 2 children, Mariah Lynn Payne and Matthew Douglas Payne of the home; her parents, Chris and Brenda (Stidham) Nash, both of Doniphan; 1 sister, Bethany Nash of Doniphan; 1 brother, Randy Nash of Doniphan; maternal grandmother, Alice Stidham; 4 nephews and 1 niece. She also leaves to mourn her passing a host of other family members and special friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, John L. Stidham, paternal grandmother, Eula Nash; mother-in-law, Jennifer Dawn Payne; and brother, Anthony Christopher Nash. Valerie enjoyed making costumes for her children and enjoyed play-acting with them as well as creating arts and crafts with them. She loved the outdoors hiking and gardening but above all, she cherished being a wife and mother. Eli was born December 6, 2014, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Michael Payne and Valerie (Nash) Payne. He enjoyed hugs, kisses and snuggles with his loved ones and he especially enjoyed playing with his older sister and brother, Mariah and Matthew. Eli also loved being outdoors playing with his puppy and riding his rocking horse his grandma Ginger made. He attended Simpson Creek General Baptist Church. Eli is survived by his father, Michael Sterling Payne of Doniphan; 1 sister, Mariah Lynn Payne and 1 brother, Matthew Douglas Payne, both of the home; maternal grandparents, Chris and Brenda (Stidham) Nash, paternal grandparents, Tom and Pamela Payne, maternal great-grandmother, Alice Stidham, paternal great-grandparents, John W. and Mary S. Payne; and paternal great-grandparents, Dean and Pat Henson, all of Doniphan. Also mourning his passing are a multitude of other family members and special friends. Eli was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ginger Payne. Visitation for mother and son will be Tuesday evening, April 12, 2016, from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will be held Wednesday morning, April 13, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Simpson Creek General Baptist Church on Y Highway in Doniphan.