Obituary of Sherri Payne
Sherri Payne, age 63, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Ascension St. Joseph in Joliet. She was born March 12, 1961, in New Kensington, PA. Sherri considered her hometown to be Mount Hope, West Virginia. She graduated from Mount Hope High School in 1980. Sherri spent many years as a stay-at-home mother and also did in-home daycare to provide extra income for her family. Later, she re-entered the workforce and worked a few different positions over the years. She also earned a degree in medical billing and coding. Her last position before she retired was at Famous Liquors in Forest Park, IL. Sherri spent many years of her life in Forest Park until she moved to Joliet in 2012.
Sherri will be remembered for her kind spirit, being a loving mother and grandmother, and supportive friend. Sherri spent most of her time being a grandmother to her grandbabies. They were her pride and joy and she absolutely loved being a grandmother. She also spent her time crafting, collecting different knickknacks, and thrifting. As a diehard Pittsburg Steeler fan, Sherri enjoyed watching football games. She really enjoyed the small things in life. From her daily 3 cups of coffee and her daily inspirational posts on Facebook, “3 Cup Girl” was always there encouraging and praying for others. Sherri had a love for unicorns, coffee, cardinals, and Snoopy. The greatest love of Sherri’s was Jesus. Sherri was a believer in our savior and a child of God.
Sherri is survived by her loving children, Donald James (Amy) Payne, Laura Ashley Payne, and Mitchell Robert Payne; devoted mother, Colleen Stevens; adoring grandbabies, Addison, Donny, Jayden, and Jackson; dear friend and father of her children, Donald Okey Payne; brothers, Robert (Danielle) Smalley, Jeff Smalley, Jerry Stevens; sisters, Robin Smalley and Arlene Mullinax; her oldest and most supportive friend, Kevin Vitiello; her sweet cat, Black Tail; and many nieces, nephews and other dear friends.
Preceded in death by her brothers, Kevin and Brian Stevens.
Memorial Visitation for Sherri Payne will be Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of Memorial Service at 5:00 p.m. As it was her request, cremation rites were accorded.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MorningStar Mission.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
