Don't Weep For Me

Don't weep for me

For I've made it home

Through Heavens gate

There I may roam.

Wipe your tears

And dry your eyes

I'm in a better place

With Heaven as my prize.

Don't weep for me

No tears and no sorrow

Live life for Jesus

He promises tomorrow.

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Beulah Ellen Penn Payne at the age of 97 departed this life at Bedford Memorial Hospital in Bedford, Virginia. Born October 23, 1926, she was one of thirteen children born to Johnson and Mary Penn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) Payne, a daughter Lucinda Payne Read, siblings Hazel Parker, Zelma Osborne, Clarissa Bond, Saphronia Scott, Lucille Lee, Dorothy Drew, Irnishel Drew, William Timothy Penn, Shirley Moore, Landon (Elburn) Penn, John Sterling Penn.

As a child Beulah attended Creasey Elementary School and went on to acquire a high school degree from Bedford Training School. Later she attended Virginia Western College where she acquired an Associate Degree in Early Childhood. Over the years she took classes and training at Central Virginia Community College and the University of Maryland.

In her earlier years Beulah served as Playground Director for the Edmond Street Park and later served twenty-seven years as Center Director for Bedford Lyn-Cag.

She was baptized at an early age as a member of Bold Branch Church where she and her twelve siblings had very nurturing parents who always instilled a love for the bible and a desire for each of their children to pass this on to the next generation. Upon her marriage union on August 28, 1948, she joined her husband at Washington Street Baptist Church where she served faithfully in numerous organizations until her death.

Those left to cherish her memories is her devoted son Gerard (Sandra) Payne, Sr., granddaughter Kamala (Adrian) Arango, grandson Gerard (Shabrina) Payne, Jr., great grandson Gerard Payne lll, granddaughter Valentina Arango, sister Eunice Hardeman and numerous nieces and nephews.