Virginia Payne Obituary

Virginia "Susie" Cloud Payne joined her heavenly father and was reunited with loved ones on Friday, August 18, 2023 at home. Visitation will occur at Hood Mortuary, Durango, CO on Friday, August 25, 2023 from 2-8 p.m. and Funeral services will be held at the Sky Ute Casino, Ignacio, CO on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Virginia was born on February 29, 1940 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Lilly Ann Hayes and Earl Cloud. She moved to San Francisco at the age of 11 and attended Mission High School then later worked and lived in the area. She met the love of her life, Harold "Hoppy" Payne Jr., at the age of 25 and was married shortly thereafter. The couple made their home in Nevada, New Mexico, and retired in Bayfield (Hoppy's hometown area.)

Virginia believed in the power of redemption through Christ and made many efforts to provide support to others who needed help. In her 30's, she often provided support to women who were incarcerated and opened her home to more than a few parolees who needed support after their release. She led Christian teen groups in Santa Fe, NM, and provided a safe albeit rowdy place to grow in Christ's love. She opened her home to children needing foster care and did her best to help others when she could, all while raising her own three children, Vincent Payne (Brenda), Jack Payne (Sherri), and Suzanne Payne. She attended S.I. Poly-Institute after raising her children to earn a CAC III Counseling credential and subsequently worked as a substance abuse counselor at Peaceful Spirit in Ignacio.

Virginia liked people and rarely met a stranger. She loved hosting parties and having friends over to visit. Stories and laughter were never lacking in her home. In her later years, she enjoyed painting, shopping, and gambling trips to Las Vegas. She loved her family, especially her grandsons, Christopher Payne, Rowdy Payne, and Beauregard Payne. She also enjoyed spending time at the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio. She appreciated the staff there very much and considered many of them friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Payne Jr. and grandson, Christopher Payne. She looked forward to being reunited with both.