Debra Payne Neely

Ms. Debra Payne Neely, 59, of Salisbury, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Payne Sr., was born in Rowan County on Nov. 25, 1953 and died on Aug. 14, 2014 at Novant Health Rowan Regional Medical Center.

A lifelong and faithful member of Erwin Temple CME Church in Woodleaf, she loved her church family and all of God’s children. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She always had a beautiful smile and a welcoming hug. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading, attending church, and going on the Payne Family annual trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. She attended Rowan County Schools and graduated from West Rowan Senior High School in 1973. She attended Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and received a certificate of completion for certified nursing assistant in July 2014.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, William Henry Payne Sr. and Thelma Louise Payne; 2 sisters, Angela D. Payne and Cynthia E. Payne; and a nephew, Kevin A. Howell.

Survivors: her daughter, Rhonda Payne-Glenn of the home; 2 sons, Jesse Maurice Woodruff of Salisbury and William Curtis (Shektia) Woodruff of Taylorsville; 2 stepchildren, Katrina (Scottie) Alexander of Indian Trail and Chris McCullough of Monroe; 2 grandchildren, Mone Woodruff and Shekiya Woodruff of Taylorsville; 6 sisters, Marcia P. Neely, Rosalind C. Payne, Felicia V. Payne, and Tammy L. Payne, all of Salisbury, Sarah Howell and Sonya (Stephen) Hilliard, all of Mocksville; 2 brothers, William (Shiela) H. Payne Sr. and Glenn A. Payne of Salisbury; a great-aunt, Lizzie Mayfield; a special friend, Joseph Haynesworth of Winston-Salem; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Her funeral service was held Monday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. at Erwin Temple CME Church in Woodleaf. The Rev. Ervin Hannah officiated and burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends at the church one hour before the service. 

Online condolences: www.GrahamFuneralHome.net.