Betty Chestnutt Payne, of Warsaw and formerly of Marshall, departed her earthly life on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024, while at home. She is the daughter of the late Hubert Scott and Gertrude Elizabeth West Rouse. She is also preceded in death by two husbands, Norwood Connell Chestnutt and John Randolph Payne, a son, Larry Deane Chestnutt, and siblings Grace Rouse and Ruby Rouse.

Left to cherish her memory are her children – Holly C. McCurry and husband Steve of Asheville and William Connell Chestnutt of Warsaw; siblings – Ellen Straub and husband Al of Charleston (SC) and Inez Rouse of Magnolia; ten grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. As an exceptional artist, she taught oil painting and photography at James Sprunt Community College. Mrs. Payne and her daughter graduated college the same year her son graduated from high school.

During her 30-plus years of work with Aflac, she held several management positions while earning numerous awards and recognitions, including the FAME award, convention trips, and achieved President's Club. She also mentored many successful colleagues over her career.

Colleagues said she gave them a "great foundation to start a career, with wonderful memories," and loved ones described her as a "very sweet, cheerful, and good friend" who was always smiling. Her love for family was tremendously important to her, and her love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was her most cherished experience on earth.

The family will plan a memorial service at a later date. Instead of floral arrangements, the family requests contributions to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: https://www.michaeljfox.org/ .