Peggy Pei- Yin Payne

Peggy Payne (Aug. 6, 1940 - Feb. 10, 2022)

Peggy Pei-Yin Tomiko Huang Payne (fondly known as “Peg,” “Ma,” “Ama,” and “Sister Peggy”) was born in Taiwan on August 6, 1940, into a large family with limited means. Her early childhood was influenced by the Japanese occupation; she recalled taking cover on the roadside during bombing raids of World War II. Though she was raised in the culture of Buddhism, as a teenager, her daily commute by bicycle took her past a Christian church where she would hear singing. That singing attracted her eventually to come in. The Christians there led her to receive the Lord Jesus as her Savior. She was a follower of Christ her entire life.

Peggy attended a teacher’s college (Normal School) and began her first teaching assignment in a remote location at an age when most U.S. students are still earning their bachelor’s degree. After working a few years, she decided to make a bold move to expand the options for her future. She took extra English classes and applied for a Master’s degree in the U.S. She was accepted into a small Christian college in Tennessee where she studied Christian Education since she desired to help children know about Jesus. The Lord supplied her financial needs somewhat miraculously by the help of first a scholarship and then a generous sponsor. 

When graduation time came, she prayed, telling the Lord that she would take the first job offer she got. That job offer turned out to be for a special school in Houma, Louisiana for troubled children. So that’s where she moved. Upon arrival, a resident told her that there was another Chinese family in town. Peggy looked up the surname “Chen” in the phone book – there was only one – and called and introduced herself to James and Grace Chen. They invited her over for dinner and discovered that they all were believers in Christ. Peggy began to attend their fellowship group, where she got to know a seaplane pilot named Glenn Payne. 

Glenn injured himself and, with the encouragement of Grace Chen, Peggy visited him in the hospital with some food. Glenn got motivated to study Chinese, asked her to marry him, and then stopped learning Chinese once she said yes. They had a wonderful marriage for 48 years characterized by gentleness and respect. Glenn recalls only two arguments in all those years – and says she was right both times. Peggy was the CFO of the household. In her later years, Glenn was her chauffeur to long-distance hair appointments and more. 

Their first child, Matthew Forrest Payne, was born in 1974. Their daughter, June Tomiko Payne (Holmes), followed in 1976. The Paynes moved to Houston in 1976 and participated in a glorious church life. Peggy worked as a draftsman for a few years at Fluor Daniel. When she was laid off, Glenn encouraged her to work for the post office like him. For a while, they operated an ice cream shop. For five years, they participated in the church life in Midland and Odessa, and then moved to College Station upon her retirement from the post office in 2006, so that they could have a home near the college campus to host Bible studies for students. Peggy had a heart for international students, since she had been one. Between Glenn and Peggy’s labor, hundreds of people received homemade meals, driving lessons, English lessons, or a place to sleep while traveling. Many students believed into Christ, and many were baptized in their home. Her retirement years were full of joy. 

Peggy was hospitalized with COVID-19 on January 24th. She had either her son or daughter with her nearly every hour of her hospitalization. Even though she was weak, in a moment of clarity, she told one of her nurses about her experience of the Lord Jesus. On February 9th she said she wanted to be with the Lord. The next day, she passed away peacefully and with dignity, holding the hands of her children. We miss her enormously.

Peggy Payne is survived by her family in Taiwan:

her eldest brother’s wife Hsiu-Chu Li

her brother Wen-Shiung Wu and sister-in-law Shu-Hui Chiu

her sister-in-law Yu-Ling Peng

her brother Wen-Hsien Wu and sister-in-law Hsiu-Lan Chen

her nephew Han-Yao Chiu

her sister Yu-Hsia Wu

her sister Pi-Chu Wu

her sister Pi-Yun Wu and brother-in-law Cheng-Mao Lai

她的大嫂李秀菊
她的大弟吳文雄和大弟媳邱淑惠
她的二弟媳彭玉玲
她的三弟吳文賢和三弟媳陳秀蘭
她的二姊吳玉霞
她的三姊吳碧珠
她的妹妹吳碧雲和妹婿賴正茂
她的大外甥邱漢堯
 

and her family in the United States:

her husband Glenn

her son Matt and daughter-in-law Ginessa

her daughter June and son-in-law Scott Holmes

and five grandchildren: Abigail, Alethia, Cameron, Reagan, and Ace.

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MEMORIAL SERVICE:

A large memorial service will be held at 2PM SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022 at the Bayes Achievement Center Gymnasium, 7517 TX-75 Huntsville, Texas, 77340. It will be live-streamed via the internet for those who cannot attend in person. Please contact Matt Payne (mfpayne@yahoo.com) for details. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Biblesforamerica.org in her name. ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83015840592

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