Mary Payne

On June 6, 2025, Mary Payne, age 90 of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, passed away peacefully to her eternal home, surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. 

Mary Fuller (Suttle) Payne was born in Selma, Alabama on May 17, 1935, to Mary Fuller Suttle, and James Freeman Suttle, Jr. She grew up in Suttle, on a large farm in the countryside outside of Selma. With her sister, brother, and lots of extended family nearby, she enjoyed a childhood centered around their church, Pine Flat Baptist, family gatherings, the family post office and general store, and farm life amongst cotton, corn, and soy bean fields, pecan and fruit trees, cattle, pigs, chickens, swimming holes, fishing ponds, and trips into Selma to the country club pool, and Birmingham, for some city life.  

Though a bit of a tom boy, Mary was as beautiful on the outside, as she was on the inside, winning a beauty pageant, or two. Mary graduated from A.G. Parish High School in Selma, and following her father’s rule, she headed out of state for her first two years of college, having chosen Mary Baldwin in Staunton, Virginia. She then graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Home Economics and Education and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. Mary moved to Pensacola, Florida to teach school, and that’s where she met Stanley, from San Antonio, Texas, who was attending the Navy’s Flight Surgeon School. They fell in love and were married at Pine Flat Baptist Church on December 27, 1959.  

For the next nine years, Mary and Stanley lived all over the United States, from Washington DC, to Rochester, Minn., Schenectady, NY, and San Francisco, as Stanley completed his training in orthopedic surgery. At last, in December of 1968, with their three young children, they followed close Navy friends to Lookout Mountain, and Stanley began his career as an orthopedic surgeon in Chattanooga. Mary and Stanley jumped right in, finding an active church with great Sunday Schools, and joining Lookout Mtn. Presbyterian Church, which soon became such an important part of their family life for the next 50+ years. Mary, once again, began making this community a wonderful home for her family.  

She was foremost a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, also caring very deeply for her extended family. For her children, she provided unconditional love, acceptance, support, and comfort. Mary was always there for important events, from recitals, sports games, graduations and the birth of her grandchildren. Mary loved the Lord and her church, finding strength in scripture, and encouragement and peace in His promises. She modeled Christ’s love as she used her gifts to serve others. With her southern warmth and charm, graciousness, easy laughter, hospitality, and thoughtfulness, she enjoyed many friends throughout her life. Mary shared her love for gourmet cooking and her natural ease with entertaining, decorating, and celebrating the seasons and holidays. She loved making things beautiful, such as the altar flower arrangements in her church, or serving for a party or luncheon. 

Mary was athletic, and a fierce competitor on the tennis court, and at the bridge table. She joined Stanley in the Investment Club, and for occasional hikes with his hiking crew. She loved to travel and shared a sense of adventure with her children. 

Mary was energetic, positive, and loved to be involved and volunteer in her community, as a member, officer, or president. 

We remember her for giving of her gifts, time, effort, and leadership skills where she felt she could make a difference… 

• Active member of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, and of the Women in the Church, serving as hostess, board member, president, and recipient of the Lifetime Membership Award 

• Long time member and president of the Hamilton County Medical Society Women’s Auxiliary, promoting projects to benefit the community, specifically the Ronald MacDonald House in her year as president. 

• Long time volunteer, especially with fundraising events, in her children’s public elementary schools 

• Member and president of the Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden Club and recipient of the Anna Law Spirit Award 

• Lookout Mountain Outlook Club gourmet group member and president 

• Chattanooga Symphony Guild member 

• Girl Scout leader 

Bible Studies, Supper Club, women’s travel groups, and the Lookout Mountain Club (Fairyland) social, tennis, and swimming events all contributed to a fulfilling life for Mary. 

Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Stanley Ross Payne, her brother J. Freeman Suttle, Jr., and her sister Virginia Suttle Mallory. She is survived by her daughter Mary Catherine Overby (Tom), of Vienna, VA., her son Stanley “Ross” Payne, Jr.  (Sally) of Charlotte, NC, her son Walter Freeman Payne (Pam) of Denver, Colorado, and her eight grandchildren Logan, Austin (Randall), Thomas, Freeman, Suttle, Fulton, Fuller (Tyler), and Lucius, and two great grandchildren Estus and Sawyer. She is also survived by nieces and cousins, and especially dear, her first cousin Camille Smith of Winston Salem, NC. 

Visitation will be at 10:45am Friday, July 18th, followed by the Memorial Service at 12n, at the Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.  

The family would like to thank the staff at Thrive at Browwood, and the wonderful caregivers in the memory care unit, for caring so well for Mary over six years.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association https://donorservices.alz.org ,  to the Ronald McDonald House  https://ww.rmhc.org, or to a charity, near and dear to your heart.