Patricia Payne

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the age of seventy, Pastor Patricia Ann Payne went from labor to reward. She was born in Ft. Belvoir, VA on October 17, 1955, to Deacon Jerome Stevens, Jr., and Missionary Lydia Ree Stevens. Pastor Patricia attended public schools in Virginia and in Mildenhall, England.

Pastor Patricia was what is commonly called a “military brat.” Growing up she was blessed to travel and reside with her mother, father, and siblings in various states in the US, Europe, and Bermuda.

Pastor Patricia was a product of the Bible Way Church, Washington, DC, under the leadership of the late Bishop Smallwood E. Williams. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost at an early age. Pastor Patricia lived a life of purpose, strength, and kindness.

After high school, Pastor Patricia met Pastor John in January,1974 and entered holy matrimony as a devoted wife to Pastor John Calvin Payne, Sr. on December 27,1974. From that union, she became a devoted mother to two children. This year, December 27, 2025, she would have been married to the love of her life for fifty-one years. Their destinies were sealed in that they not only became Marriage Partners but would later be Missions Partners.

During Pastor Patricia’s professional career, she was a Consumer Service/Relation Representative at VEPCO electric power company. She and her husband later relocated their jobs to Richmond, Virginia, beginning her employment with the Dominion electric power company. At the Dominion electric power company, she was employed as an Energy Market Analyst.

Pastor Patricia and her family attend the Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries in Richmond, Virginia under the leadership of beloved Bishop Daniel Robertson, Jr., and Co-Pastor Elena Robertson. She was an ordained pastor and served in the International Missions Ministry. She was a dedicated active member serving in various capacities holding positions as a teacher, and general overseer over the Children’s Ministry.

In 1993, while at Mt. Gilead, she accepted the calling to serve as an international missionary. In March 2014, under the suggestion of their Bishop and the leading of the LORD she and her husband founded two non-profit ministries: First, Godly Life Learning Center International Ministries and second, “Oh Taste and See From Seed to Harvest” as Garden Coaches and builders of vegetable and fruit raised beds. This helps with the expenses of the Missions, which are ongoing as they support students, those with medical emergency situations, food, and other needs. The scriptures they based their ministry on are “Ask of Me,” and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession. Psalms 2:8 & John 15:7 If you live in Me and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

Since then, they have been blessed to travel debt free with the blessings of Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries, fulfilling the Great Commission by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ abroad in Uganda, East Africa, and many other countries.

Pastor Patricia is a graduate of Faith Alive Bible Institute & School of Ministry where she majored in Missions. After graduation, she was permitted to take a field trip with the Missions class the next year to the Missions Training Center in Rockville, Virginia.

Pastor Patricia and Pastor John are joint accomplished authors of the several books, i.e., GOD’s Ultimate Design In Color: Your Forever Future,” August 3, 2023, GOD’s Ultimate Design For Kids, May 20, 2024. Patricia Payne, “Oh Taste and See From Seed to Harvest: Your Seed Sowing and Planting Journal”, March 24, 2021, Pastor Patricia Payne, “Missions For The House:”, April 22, 2018, John and Pastors Payne, “Missions For The House Journal: 5th Anniversary Edition”, April 10, 2019.

During the COVID pandemic, Pastor Patricia initiated and hosted the family in Maryland, Virginia and Florida zoom and teleconference calls weekly.

Pastor Patricia Ann Payne was preceded in death by her grandfather, Jerome Stevens, Sr., grandmother, Beatrice Elizabeth Stevens, grandmother, Lou Ella Searles and grandfather, James Mills, brother-in-law, Timothy E. Cain, I (husband of sister, Marian Ann Cain). She leaves to cherish the memories of their time together – beloved husband, Pastor John Calvin Payne, Sr., loving daughter Merinda Randolph (Ricardo), loving son, John Calvin Payne, Jr.; grandsons, Jaquaz, KeAle, Javeon, Kardae, DeAndre; granddaughters, Ayanna, Jade; great- granddaughters, JaQuay, Leila, Maddisyn, Mayah; great-grandsons, Rhythm, Tristan and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Siblings – sisters, Marian Ann Cain, Beatrice Elizabeth Massie (Phillip), Daphne Denise Johnson, and brother Ronald Eugene Stevens (Tanya). Extended family members, Rev. Shirley Wilkins (Adopted sister) and Sister Erma Freeman (Merinda’s mother-in-law).

Pastor Patricia’s family honors her remarkable and lasting example she set as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and confidant. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit lives in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

                                                                                         ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE FAMILY

Words cannot express how we appreciate the love, kindness, and prayers you have extended to our family during this difficult time. Your thoughtful expressions of sympathy have brought comfort to our hearts and peace to our spirits.

Although we mourn the loss of our beloved, we are strengthened by the heartfelt memories we shared and the legacy that lives on through each life she touched.

Thank you for sharing our grief, celebrating our loved one’s life, and reminding us we are not alone. May God bless and keep each of you. As Pastor Patricia would say, “Jesus loves you more.”

With Heartfelt Gratitude and Love,

The Payne, Randolph, and Stevens Family