Mary Lou Payne, 81, of Westover, passed from this temporal, joyous and sometimes difficult life into the eternal presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, May 10, 2023. Her devoted husband of 33 years, Robert J. “Bob” Payne, was by her side.
Amidst the uncertain rumblings of World War II, Mary Lou was born as a 40-ounce baby at the family farmhouse in Uffington, on Jan. 2, 1942. Her parents were the late Wendell Vance Elli and the late Ila Belle Kinsley Elli. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Richard “Buck” Buchanan and her three siblings, James “Jimmy” Elli, Doris Elli Perkins, and Richard “Dickie” Elli.
Mary Lou was spiritually born again at a young age when she received the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12,13) as her Savior at Johnsons Chapel “Barn” in Uffington. Because of His grace, she faithfully served Him throughout her life by diligently raising her family, in her dedicated employment as an administrative assistant to the president and, later, the dean of the College of Engineering of West Virginia University, in sharing her musical gifts at Emmanuel Baptist Church and Westover United Methodist Church, and by serving and befriending many.
Besides Mary Lou’s husband, Bob, those remaining to cherish her memory include her two sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Ginny Buchanan and John and Debbie Buchanan; her four grandchildren, Mitchell Buchanan, Athena Buchanan Yerkovich and her husband, Steve Yerkovich, Anna Buchanan, and Mary Buchanan Padilla and her husband, Joel Padilla; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler Yerkovich, Haidyn Yerkoich and Arya Yerkovich.
Mary Lou’s last few years of this earthly life were difficult due to severe physical ailments. The family is grateful to the management and employees of Monarch Meadow and OSPTA Hospice in Uniontown, Pa., for their tender, compassionate care.
In keeping with Mary Lou’s wishes, a family memorial service will be conducted at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Hastings Funeral Home. Interment will be at Lawnwood Cemetery in Morgantown.
