Visitation:
Thursday, September 19, 2024
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Memorial Park Funeral Home
5668 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38119
Service:
Thursday, September 19, 2024
3:00 PM
Memorial Park Funeral Home
5668 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38119
Margaret Bellamy Payne was born Jan 27, 1939 in Chattanooga, TN and entered God’s glorious gates on Friday September 13, 2024 in Bartlett, TN. She lived a beautiful life and provided comfort and solace while asking little in return.
Margaret grew up with her parents, brother and sister. In her free time, Margaret played in the high school band in Union City, TN. She then graduated from UT Martin with a Bachelor’s degree and this is where she caught Dennis Bellamy’s eye. They went to many dances and were married in 1959 and then had their children, DeDe in 1962, Kathryn 1963, Hugh 1968, and Robby 1970. They raised their children in their homestead in Memphis, TN and she worked for the Shelby County Schools at Bartlett High School as a beloved substitute teacher and then as their attendance secretary.
Years following Dennis’ passing, Margaret reconnected with her childhood friend and high school sweetheart, James Payne, and they were reunited and married on Jan 11, 2003.
Margaret was a do-er and had a servant’s heart. If you wanted something done, everyone knew Margaret would help take care of it! She had active roles in the church serving on various committees and volunteered at many, many various events. Margaret was also blessed with a green thumb and always knew the tricks for growing or how to transplant flowers. Her love of the outdoors and nature was evident in her love of birds and could identify any tree when asked. She would keep herself busy tole painting, cake decorating, quilling wedding invitations, cross-stitching (especially Christmas stockings), and any other craft. She would use her crafting skills to make “happies” to give to others, and make beautiful memories doing crafts with her grandkids.
To know her was to love her, especially her love for bells (which she had collected over 300), Christmas and snow with Jingle Bells being her favorite Christmas song.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Bellamy, son, Hugh Bellamy, son Robby Bellamy, her parents Hugh and Elizabeth Colville, her brother, Winthrope Colville, her sister, Eleanor Pronath, and daughter Jodi Knopsnider.
Margaret is survived by her loving husband, James Payne, her daughters DeDe Nelson (Eric), Kathryn Wiggs (Mark), daughter-in-law (Shannon), Julie Metzger (Mark), Patti Reinhart, Brenda Howard, Lynn Moore, twenty two grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, sister-in-law (Alice Clare Colville), and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all.
Visitation will be at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave Thursday September 19, 2024 from 1:30-3:00 followed by a graveside service at 3:00.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.