Joyce Payne Roane

The life of an amazing woman has come to an end on this earth, but her beautiful spirit will remain with us for a lifetime. She lived a full life and touched the hearts of many. On May 10, 2024, God saw her road was getting tough and the hills were too hard to climb, He gently closed her eyes and whispered, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” “Come to your eternal rest!” (Matthew 25:23, 34). Joyce Payne Roane answered God’s call to come to her heavenly home in glory at the Reston Hospital in Reston, Virginia surrounded by her family. Was she equipped for the journey? Absolutely, yes! She was qualified by her experience as a child of God, a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, sister- in-love, leader, teacher, nurturer, supporter, encourager, historian, and faithful servant of Christ

Joyce Adelaide Payne Roane, born February 1, 1942, in Montross, Virginia, was the beloved fourth child of the late Emma Viola and the late William “Jack” Payne. As the fourth child of this union, she was surrounded by loved and adored by her siblings, Edward, Frances, and Dorothy “Dottie.”  At an early age, she received Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at the Siloam Baptist Church where she was active in the church activities especially Sunday School. At Siloam, she also became an usher, sang in the choir and participated in other ministries of the church.

Joyce was educated in the Westmoreland County Public School System graduating from AT Johnson High School in 1961. While in high school, she played on the Girls’ Basketball Team, was a majorette and later became a model. Everyone remembers her stellar performances as a majorette leading the school band. While a student at AT Johnson, she met and fell in love with Alwin Roane who later became her devoted husband.

Joyce and Alwin both attended Siloam Baptist Church as young people and were friends there too. This helped to enhance and enrich their relationship. On January 12,1963, at Siloam, they were united together in a lifelong commitment to one another in front of God, family and the community of faith in Holy Matrimony. They were married for sixty-one (61) years. Into this union was born their much-loved and adored son, Tracy “Trey” Alwin Roane. Added to the joy of this family were her grandson, Scott, her granddaughter, Desirae, her great-grandchildren, Cabral Roane, Tracee Williams, and Billie Williams. She treasured and esteemed her family. Her family was important to her.

Joyce began her career working for the United States (U. S.) Federal Government. She took an early retirement from the federal government to support her husband in the family business, Roane Trucking. She also became a beauty consultant with Mary Kay, Inc. where she empowered women to see their unique beauty and to define and enhance their own future. After the death of her husband, she became a realtor working for Toll Brothers.

Joyce was very creative and had an exquisite eye for beauty especially beautiful homes and furnishings. Joyce took immense pride in creating beautiful homes for her family. She was also a history buff. She loved the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, trains, clocks, art, and more. She enjoyed working on her family genealogy and getting the family involved. She traced her family back to 1827 for the Roane Family and 1850 for the Payne Family. She found that her family was a part of the history of Stratford Hall in Montross, Virginia in Westmoreland County, a plantation where the Payne family originated in the U. S. She would spend hours talking about her family history to her family, friends and anyone who would listen. Additionally, Joyce participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. March in Washington, District of Columbia (D. C.) and was an active member of the National Council of Negro Women. She was also active in her community and her church, Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centerville, Virginia.

Joyce loved family including her extended family and her friends and always made time for them. She loved to entertain. In the past years, the Roane and Payne Family members and other extended family were blessed to have Thanksgiving Dinner jointly every year in her and her husband’s home. At times, Christmas and other events were celebrated together too. Joyce always showed up for her family and friends, and was present for major accomplishments, life events, challenging times, and sometimes was just a shoulder to lean on. Her family knew her as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Her granddaughter says, “She’s an amazing, beautiful, strong Black woman.” Everyone who had the opportunity to meet Joyce experienced her genuine kindness and heartfelt love. Joyce was a faith-filled God loving woman who always treated others with love and respect.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Alwin Roane; her parents, Emma Viola Payne and William Payne; her brother, Edward; her sisters, Frances and Dorothy; her brothers-in-law, Noel and Levon Roane; her niece, Glenda Thompson; her nephew, Curtis Wise; her great nephew, Derek Wise, and a host of other relatives and friends.

There are few who loved family and friends the way Joyce loved hers. She leaves behind a legacy that embodies love, kindness, confidence, generosity and gratitude. She lived life to the fullest and will always be adored, admired, appreciated and forever cherished by: her son, Tracy; grandchildren, Scott (Tayler) and Desirae; great-grandchildren, Cabral Roane, Tracee Williams, and Billie Williams; nieces, Hope Wise, Sylvia Love (Darrell), Rita Stanley, Lakesha Reed, Brittany Love-Campbell (Bryan), Winona Roane, Lisa LaMar (Derik), Ashley Roane-Talbert (Robert ), Alexandra Roane Woolridge-Jones (Delvin); nephews, James “Jimmy” Thompson, Jr., Justin Love (Rhonda), Stephen Love (Whitney), Christopher Bethea (Kristen) and Larry Jewell (Ozleana); grand-nieces, Shumeka Wise, Larrell Pratt (Joseph),Tina Lee (Todd), Logan LaMar, Trenai Roane, and Nadia Bridges; grand-nephews, Dionte Roane, Donovan LaMar, Marcus Herndon, Jordan Bethea, and Elijah Levon Roane-Talbert; sisters-in-law, Brenda Bethea, and Annette Roane; special friends, Rosetta, Helen, Jonnie, Shellby, and Priscilla; and a host of cousins, family, friends, and extended family members. She will remain in our hearts always. We will miss her dearly. 

A Home going service for Joyce Payne Roane will be held on Wednesday, May 29 at 12 Noon in the sanctuary of the Jerusalem Baptist Church, 2404 Nomini Hall Road, Hague, Virginia.

Interment will follow in the Siloam Baptist Church Cemetery, 1614 Zacata Road, Montross, Virginia.

Remains may be viewed from 4PM until 6PM on Tuesday, May 28 in the chapel of the WELDON-FISHER FUNERAL HOME and from 11AM until service time on Wednesday, May 29 at Jerusalem Baptist Church.

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