Rebecca Payne

Rebecca Susan Phillips Payne, 82, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and woman of deep and abiding faith, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, surrounded by those who loved her.

Born on February 6, 1944, in Huntington, West Virginia, Rebecca was the daughter of Dorothy Louise Burks and Carl Lindberg Phillips. Her upbringing in Huntington’s Baptist Temple church established a foundation of faith that she carried throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother, Carl Timothy Phillips.

Rebecca dedicated her life to both education and the arts. She taught English and Drama at Chesapeake High School, where she inspired generations of students with her love of literature, storytelling, and performance. A gifted performer, she appeared in numerous productions with the Community Players, Musical Arts Guild, Huntington Outdoor Theatre, and Marshall University; she was also a proud member of the Sweet Adelines and her church choirs at Baptist Temple and Lewis Memorial Baptist Church, sharing her voice and passion for music with many.

Rebecca’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was a devoted student of the Bible and spent many years leading Bible study, offering wisdom, guidance, and encouragement to all who sought it. Her life was a reflection of her beliefs – marked by kindness, grace, and a genuine love for others.

Rebecca is survived by her loving husband, William Payne, and her cherished family. She leaves behind her children and grandchildren: Philip Wilcox and his wife, Julie, and their sons, Jameson and Smith; Melissa Wilcox and her son, Simon; Corey Payne; Scott Payne and his wife, Megan, and their daughters, Savannah and Delaney; Wesley Payne and his wife, Tricia, and their children Sarah Grace and William; and Susan Ballard and her daughters, Justine and Olivia. She is also survived by her cousins, her dear best friend, and a wide circle of cherished friends who meant so much to her throughout her life.

Rebecca will be remembered as a woman of great faith, a devoted teacher, a talented performer and a loving matriarch. She touched countless lives through her teaching, music, ministry, and unwavering compassion for others.

A memorial service will be held at a later date with her Inspire Sandhill community in Columbia, South Carolina, and another in her native Huntington, West Virginia, where she will be interred with her family in the mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to the American Bible Society (https://www.americanbible.org/ways-to-give/), helping share God’s Word with those in need and with our service members around the world.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.