Wantage Twp., NJ: Carole Jean Payne(nee Jean), 79 years old, died at Newton Medical Center on Thursday, February 16, 2017. Born to George and Roweena Jean in Chicago, IL, she has lived in many places including Detroit MI, Dayton Ohio, Escondido Calif, Linkoping Sweden, Sussex, NJ and Wantage Twp., NJ since 1985. While working in the Government Division of GM in Detroit, she met her husband Harry, married and moved to join him in Dayton, Ohio.
Carole worked several jobs including a sales associate for JC Penny in Rockaway, NJ, a hardware distributor for Venmar, and office work for Industrial Process Equipment in Sussex. While in Escondido, Calif., she was a member of the Orange Glen Baptist Church where she served as an administration office helper to Pastor Witt, taught Sunday School & Children’s Church, served Women’s Missionary Society, participated in choir contributing as a soloist. While in Sweden, she attended Filadelphia Kyrkan (Philadelphia Church) where she taught Children’s Sunday School and helped the ladies with social work. Carole also organized a weekly English Bible study for ex-pats living in the area. Locally, Carole was a member of Crossroads Assembly of God in Hamburg, NJ and celebrated the Lord being very active in her church volunteering as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, worked on the Missionary Crusades and the Junior Bible Quiz as well as leading a Women’s Prayer Group, working with the Mission Board and served as past president of the Women’s Ministries Group. She also managed the Crossroads Bible/Gift Book Shoppe. Carole was blessed to participate in short term mission trips to Outer Mongolia and China with Every Home for Christ (EHC). She enjoyed volunteering and has served in different areas such as the Scott Garrett campaign, the Women’s health and help group Today’s Choice, Meals on Wheels, among others. Her interests included music, art, literature, fashions, sewing, gardening, historical sites and history, museums, antiques, travel, architecture, and mainly people. Especially telling others about The Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ. After graduation from Skokie High School, Carole studied Nursing at Ravenswood in Chicago leaving to be with her mother in Detroit. Later, she graduated with a diploma from the IBM Business Technical School in Dayton. Carole studied art at the University of Dayton and later at Palomar College in California.
Carole is predeceased by a brother, Paul Jean and is the beloved wife for 56 years of Harry Payne of Wantage Twp., NJ. Devoted mother of Gregory M. Payne of Stamford, CT and Gwendolyn Esteves and her husband, Augustino of Budd Lake, NJ. Loving grandmother of Alicia and Alana. Dear sister of Larry Jean of CA and Jackie Jean of SC.
The family will receive their friends at Crossroads Assembly of God, 12 Edsall Street, Hamburg, NJ on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 5-7 PM. Celebration of Life will commence at 7:00 PM at the church. Interment will be at Bethlehem Cemetery, Walland, TN. Memorial gifts to Crossroads Church, 12 Edsall Street, Hamburg, NJ 07419 would be appreciated.