LouNetta Marie Payne, 75, of Warsaw, MO passed away in the early hours of Monday February 10th, 2025 after her 3rd fight with cancer. She is finally at rest after spending her final moments surrounded by her friends and family.
LouNetta was born in Ft. Collins, CO on July 4th, 1949. Her mother, Thelma Lorane (Lowe) raised her with her dad, Wilfred Emke after LouNetta’s biological father, Clarence Mitchell Stanley, died when she was a toddler.
LouNetta grew up in Lexington, MO and graduated from the local high school. After graduation, she married Thomas Johnson in 1968 and welcomed her first daughter Jennifer into the world. She later married her husband Richard Payne on August 3rd, 1974. The couple welcomed two more daughters into their family, Lindie and Erika. The family lived in Lexington, MO until 1984 when they moved to Kansas City, MO. In 2000, LouNetta, Richard, and their youngest child Erika moved to Odessa. LouNetta and Richard retired to Warsaw in 2013.
LouNetta was a dedicated worker in multiple occupations throughout her life. She worked for Deloitte Touche, CPA as an Executive Secretary and later for Matt Ford as a Title Clerk. Even in retirement, LouNetta stayed busy in the community. She served as a volunteer dispatcher for the Osage Valley Volunteer Fire Department for 11 years. She was presented the “Distinguished Service Award” on October 15th, 2024 for the services she provided the department.
LouNetta is preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers; Bob Ballinger and Gary Ballinger.
LouNetta is survived by her husband Richard Payne, her sister Marsha Vantellman (Jim Bloom) of Lexington, MO, her daughters Jennifer Stuerke (Scot), of Lee’s Summit, MO, Lindie Young (Russell Armenta), of Lincoln, MO, and Erika Seymour of Warsaw, MO.
LouNetta is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Laura Hammond (Tyler) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Hannah Stuerke, of Kansas City, MO, Priscilla Foster (Thayne) of West Monroe, LA, Paula Singleton (Robert) of Waynesville, MO, Pierce Young, of Denver, CO, Ava Armenta, of Sedalia, MO, Daniel Seymour, Mickey Seymour, Aaron Seymour, and Evie Seymour, all of Oak Grove, MO.
LouNetta was also blessed with 5 great grandchildren, Hope Hammond, Gwen Singleton, Malia Foster, Weston Foster, and Caroline Armenta.
LouNetta also leaves behind many more extended family members, as well as her faithful furry companion, her little dog Zeus.
She will be missed by her family and numerous friends she made throughout her 75 years of life.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11 am February 13th at Sheila’s BB Bar and Restaurant located at 25848 State HWY BB in Warsaw, MO 65355.
“Every day is a chance to create a memory and to love a little more.”
Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society–Hope Lodge Kansas City
