Ruth P. Payne, 69, of Dunbar left this world to be where she so longed for on the beaches of Heaven.

Her passion was to grow things. She loved "playing in the dirt," doing yard work and working with her flowers. She would start with a sick plant and make it into a giant for others to see with awe. Her home was always open to family and friends.

She started her first and only employment with Kanawha Valley Bank, now known as BB&T. Over 41 years, she worked her way from teller to Vice President. She was a member of Ameran and achieved Royal Matron. Ruth enjoyed attending baseball and soccer games with her nephews, Garrett and Nathan Payne. She was a wonderful giving person and loved her family beyond all expectations. Her only other passion was her beloved husband, whom she called "D. L." She will be sadly missed by all that were fortunate enough to have known her.

She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Dewey L. Payne of Dunbar; brother, Carl Parsons and his wife, Evelyn of Jackson Co; sister, Lenora Chapman of New Jersey; half-sister, Judy of Texas; brothers-in-law, Keith Payne and his wife, Beth of Dunbar, Charles and his wife, Mary Beth of Crede and Michael Smith of Lewisburg; sisters-in-law, Judy Payne of Sissonville, Wanda Shouldis and her husband, Gary of Gay, Dinah Parsons and husband, Eddie of Fairplain, Della Steele and her husband, Kenney of North Carolina, Joyce Fanjoy and her husband John of Charlestown; father-in-law, Gilbert W. Payne of Dunbar. Ruth is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, August 14, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar. Entombment will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.

Friends may call two hours prior to the service at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.