SUGAR HILL, Ga. — Ruth Ann Payne, of Sugar Hill, Ga., and formerly a resident of Schaumburg, IL for many years, passed away Feb. 27, 2024, after a long illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, in Sublette, with Fr. Randy Fronek officiating. Inurnment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Wasmer Funeral Home is privileged to assist the family.

Ruth Ann was born in Spring Valley in 1941 to Floyd "Tug" and Marcella "Sally" Pry, and grew up in the small town of Sublette. She graduated from Amboy High School, where she fell in love with her sweetheart, James Payne. Jim was a star athlete. They married and moved to Carthage, where Jim became a legendary football player for Carthage College, and where her three children, Kent, Krista, and Angela were born. After the college years, Ruth Ann and Jim raised their family in the Chicago area. Ruth Ann worked as an administrative assistant to an Illinois congressman for many years. She later worked for, and retired from, the Illinois Department of Transportation. She was actively involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren, and rarely missed their activities. Ruth Ann was a very accomplished piano player and relished in the family singing around her while playing, especially during the holidays. Ruth Ann took tremendous pride in her home. The furnishings and yard décor were stunningly designed and cared for, and the subject of great compliment. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to travel and went on numerous trips with her children and their families.

Ruth Ann will be dearly missed by her, son, Kent (Sherry) Payne of Batavia; two daughters, Krista (Steve) Feldman, of Foster City, Calif., and Angela (Adam) Gallien, of Sugar Hill, Ga.; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and brother, Stan (Darlene) Pry, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Memorials may be directed to donor's choice. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.