Dellia Katherine Payne

Dellia Katherine Wallace Payne, known better as Kat, Granny Kat, Momma Kat or "one of the best friends we ever had", has been relieved of the discomforts of an earthly body and has entered the comfort of her Savior. Kat was born March 23, 1941, to parents Elma and Earl Wallace of Bogalusa, LA. She died peacefully at age 82, sleeping in the bed next to her best friend and husband, at her home in assisted living on Saturday, December 16, 2023. She lived most of her life in Bogalusa, though she also spent time in north Louisiana and in the Mobile, AL, area. In her final 4 years, she lived in Newnan, GA. She was the oldest of four children. Her sisters, who were an integral and treasured part of her life until her death, include Brenda Wallace (Jerry) Sumrall, and Glenda "Faye" Wallace Singley. She was preceded in death by her only brother, Earl Lynn Wallace. On June 21, 1941 at age 18, Kat married the love of her life, Bobby Lynn Payne. Together they had two children, Troy Nelson Payne, born in 1960, and Tori Lynn Payne, born in 1962. In 1987, Troy married Crystal Acuff Payne and Tori married John Kyle Sorrells III. From those marriages, Kat and Bobby were gifted with 5 grandchildren: David (Amanda) Koon, Chelsea (Scott) Payne Morris, Colt (Holly) Payne, Kyle (Hannah) Payne Sorrells, and Petty Officer 3rd class Dirk Landon Sorrells. And though they thought the grandchildren were the absolute best gift from God, they were further blessed with 7 great grandchildren, with two more on the way: Landon Koon, Kase Koon, River Koon, Payne Morris, Patton Morris, Parks Morris, and Rowan Sorrells. Kat was a house wife and stay at home Mother until 1968 when she entered Pearl River Junior College to become a Registered Nurse. Though she worked in multiple settings, she spent most of her decades long career caring for those with behavioral health needs. The Lord was front and center in Kat's life and she made certain that was true for her family. Her faith journey included membership of many decades at Main Street Baptist church where she walked to church on Sundays and taught her children to love the Lord. After decades of worship there, she moved her membership to Westside Emmanuel Baptist church where she and the love of her life, Bobby, worshiped in community with longtime friends. Most recently, after moving to Newnan, Georgia, Kat and her family found great joy in worshiping at Newnan City Church. She prioritized her family. She was the Mom who never missed a motocross race or dance recital. Her social life was determined by what her kids and grandkids were doing at the time. The rules were applied differently to the kids and grandkids. She would not drink after anyone, unless it was a grandbaby, and in that case baby slobber was okay to share. And though she was a stickler for hand washing and perhaps even a germophobe, she would kiss a baby's bottom. One of Kat's greatest legacies outside of her faith and family, is the incredible network of friends with whom she experienced life. She loved being surrounded by people and frequently entertained. She nurtured friendships with her cooking and she was an excellent cook. She never met a stranger. And she experienced life with a great spirit of adventure. She was described as a bit of a daredevil. Just a few of her experiences included many trips to Disney World, some with 100+ people, riding snow mobiles in Vegas or Yellowstone National park, tubing the Bogue Chitto, hiking the Grand Canyon, attending LSU Football games both at home and away, riding a hot air balloon, taking a Camp Fire group to Mardi Gras in New Orleans or riding in the MCCA parade, parasailing in Florida, and cruising in Alaska. Her greatest accomplishment could be defined as loving others as God would ask her to do. Friends and family remember her with words like patient, even tempered, accepting and non-judgmental, congenial, social, gracious, calming and comforting, and FUN! Kat's celebration of life ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Newnan City Church, 17 1st Avenue, Newnan, GA. The family will receive visitors from 3:00-5:00, followed by a service at 5:00. A second memorial will take place in Bogalusa, LA, on January 4, 2024, at Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church with visitation from noon to 2:00, followed by a memorial at 2:00. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com. The family would like to express appreciation to Pastor Jimmy Ellison for his support and ministry, especially in the final weeks of Kat's life. We are grateful for the care in her final days by Brightmoor Hospice and the staff from Insignia Senior Living. And we wish to thank a very special friend, Martha Robertson, for her care, attention and friendship to Bobby and Kat and the family. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Dellia Katherine Payne

March 23, 1941 - December 16, 2023