Sandra "Sandy" Payne

CARBONDALE - Sandra “Sandy” Payne, 63, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Sandy was born on July 14, 1959 in Waukegan to Harley and Muriel (Burge) McCormack. Sandy married Bruce Payne on April 22, 1989 in Marion.

Sandy loved the Word of God and sharing Him with others, especially children. She homeschooled her three sons and committed her life to seeing that they knew Jesus and followed Him. She wanted every child to know God’s Word, so for years she served as a Junior Bible Quiz and Teen Bible Quiz coach. Heading up local Vacation Bible Camps in the summer and at Christmas was the highlight of Sandy’s year. Whether it was through Murdale’s Summer Week of Choir or Calvary Campus Church’s Children’s Church, she loved leading and serving alongside others who were committed to seeing children know and love Jesus.

Sandy was a mother to all. For many SIU and JALC international students, she was the first one who welcomed them and made them feel loved when they arrived in Carbondale and throughout their college years. She displayed hospitality on many levels as she hosted international students who lived in her home and others who came for a homecooked meal or a football game. Sandy was warm and welcoming to everyone and didn’t know a stranger.

Sandy was a faithful fan of the Chicago Cubs. She was a soccer Mom and sports enthusiast. She loved airshows, travelling with her family, hiking, hot tubs and history. For years she was the gospel “voice of Southern Illinois” as she served as a much-loved DJ for both WXAN and WBVN radio stations. She was pro-life to the core, and was active both personally and politically to see that life was honored at every stage, everywhere.

Sandy loved good coffee and conversation. She was an exceptionally good listener and a great instructor of public speaking courses at both JALC and SEMO. She enjoyed teaching history at Trinity Christian School and was blessed by all of the staff she worked with and many students she taught through the years. Teaching writing classes in her home and Christian Worldview classes at the Victory homeschool co-op brought her great joy.

Sandy is survived by her husband Bruce of Carbondale; sons, David Payne and wife, Emily of Springfield, Daniel Payne and wife Mailee of Kansas City, Missouri and Joshua Payne; two grandchildren; three brothers, Lee, Glen, and Ron McCormack and their families; sister, Holly McCormack; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Helen Payne of Murphysboro.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Celebration of Life Services for Sandy will be held on Saturday, December 17th, at 11 am at Murdale Baptist Church in Carbondale with Pastor Glendall Toney officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 16th from 6-9 pm at the same location.

Memorials may be made in Sandy’s name to Pregnancy Matters.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Sandy visit www.meredithfh.com