Leda Cecelia Payne of Blackwell, Oklahoma, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital at the age of 94 years.

Leda Cecelia Payne was born on August 18, 1917, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Thearl A. and Winnie E. (Briggs) Bradford. She grew up in Blackwell and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1935. She furthered her education by attending Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa for a year. She married Max Anthony Payne on October 6, 1940, in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Connie Weigle and husband Harold. Following their marriage they settled on a farm in northern Kay County and she assisted her husband with the farming operation. She also worked at the Cashion Cleaners, Midwest Theater and Kress's Department Store. She later began working for the City of Blackwell in the city clerks until the 1950's when they moved to Sterling, Colorado. After three years, they returned to Blackwell and she again worked in the city clerks office as a registrar for elections until her retirement following thirty-five years of service. Her husband preceded her in death on August 5, 2010, and she continued to make Blackwell her home. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir for fifty-four years. She also held membership in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Top of Oklahoma Historical Society, Business and Professional Women's Club, Blackwell Book Review Club, United Way and worked as a hospital volunteer. She enjoyed fishing.

She is survived by a sister, Idalene Childs of Springfield, Oregon; nieces, Penny Payne Anthony of Blackwell, Oklahoma, Pam Cooper and husband Denis of Irving, Texas, and Vicki Childs of Salem, Oregon; nephews, Terry Weigle and wife Mary of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Brad Childs and wife Debbie of Springfield, Oregon; great nieces, Lindy Anthony of Norman, Oklahoma, Amy Cox of Texas, Laura Deibert and husband Jimmie of Bixby, Oklahoma, and Melinda Dunn and husband Eric of Frisco, Texas; and great nephews, Cash Anthony of Blackwell and Brad LaRue and wife Jennifer of Houston, Texas.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Edna Mae "Connie" Weigle.

Services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 14th in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Pam Cottrill of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the First United Methodist Church in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.