Jennie

Jennifer Lynn Payne, born Feb. 8, 1961, in Marion, Indiana passed away April 27, 2023, at the age of 62 at the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center in Fairlawn, Ohio.

Raised in Fairmount, Indiana, Jennie graduated Madison-Grant High School in 1979 and served as the first Argyll mascot in the school's history. She later went on to earn an associate's degree from Vincennes University. She had a long career doing title work for Stewart Title but later thrived as a flight attendant for Skywest Airlines, a path that allowed her to follow two of her passions: travel and connecting with others through conversation.

She relocated from Indiana to the sun and fun of South Carolina in the late 1990s, where she collected a wide variety of extraordinary friends who she considered family. She and her closest friends enjoyed going to lunch, spending time at Brookgreen Gardens, and enjoying each other's company. The name Jennie jokingly coined for their group was the "Retired Exotic Dancers," a phrase that often brought giggles and sometimes even a complimentary lunch from admirers.

Jennie was a life-long learner and was always expanding her knowledge about new things, even becoming a licensed ham radio operator and motorcyclist. She was well-read and enjoyed the intrigue of true crime podcasts.

She was passionate about her sobriety and sharing the teachings of the 12-step program defined by AA. Jennie's willingness to share her experience and serve others helped a multitude along their own path to wellness. She considered her 32 years of sobriety her greatest achievement.

Jennie was a gifted storyteller and never met a stranger, one of many qualities she shared with her father, Jerry. She immediately endeared herself to those she met. She had the unique ability to hone in on the essence of everyone's personality. Whether you had known her for years or just a short period of time, Jennie left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered with her quick wit and irreverent humor.

Jennie is survived by her parents, Jerry and Shirley Payne of Fairmount, Indiana, and her siblings who she lovingly referred to as her little sister, Julie (Gary) Harbert of Fairmount, and her baby sister, Jill (Doug) Hurst of Medina, Ohio. She also leaves behind "d'neice" Erin Harbert, and "d'nephews" Chad Harbert, Jeff and Eric Hurst, all of whom she was immensely proud of. She will be greatly missed by the vast network of friends she amassed over her lifetime.

A Celebration of Life memorial will occur at a future date. In lieu of gifts, the Payne family asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Jennie.