The Shadow
Susan Anna Payne of Covington is observing her 100th birthday today with family and friends.
A life-long resident of Covington, “Mama Susie” was born March 22, 1910 in Covington, a daughter of the late James Arthur Payne and Cora Lee Payne who were married Aug. 7, 1894. She is the only remaining member of her immediate family which included her parents, four brothers and two sisters.
Her father was the first black insurance salesman in Covington. He was born Sept. 11, 1868 in Buffalo Gap and died May 26, 1932 at the age of 63.
He built the home place for his family on Fudge Street and Mama Susie lived there until 2007 when she moved in with her daughter Linda Carter and her husband Roy on Hugh Street in Covington.
Her mother died in 1915 when Mama Susie was five-years-old and her oldest sister, Bernice Payne, quit school to help her father raise the younger children. Bernice was 16 at that time. Mama Susie said she is eternally grateful for the love and care her older sister gave to her.
Mama Susie has been a homemaker the majority of her life and has raised numerous members of her family. She is a graduate of the former Watson High School, Class of 1927, and is the only remaining member of her high school class.
She said she enjoys the fellowship at her church, Concerned Christian Baptist Church on Cherry Street in Covington, where she has been a pioneer and an inspiration to the members with her wisdom and insight. She attends prayer meeting and Bible study every Wednesday night and says she always learns something new.
One member of the church said recently, “The church bus hardly ever moves without Mama Susie aboard. She is dearly loved by her family and friends.”
In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, relatives in Covington include nieces Sharon Braxton and Pauline Martin.
