Margaret E. Payne

Margaret E. Payne, age 83, of Hannibal, MO passed away at 2:27 am Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at Hannibal Regional Hospital.

Graveside services and burial will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, September 19, 2020, at Parklawn Cemetery in Brookfield, MO.

Due to COVID-19 masked and social distancing at the graveside are strongly encouraged.

The family is being served by the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel of Hannibal.

Margaret was born on August 6, 1937, in Elmer, MO the daughter of Joseph Benjamin and Ellen Fern (Ratliff) Gillespie Blunt.

Survivors include a daughter, Janet Willett and husband Eddie of Hannibal, MO; two brothers, Homer Gillespie of Kansas City, MO, Jack and Bridget Gillespie of North Kansas City, MO; three sisters, Jean Shoop of Paola, KS, Karen Miller of Raleigh, NC and Judy and Lester Taylor of Brookfield, MO; uncle, Edgar and Joyce Ratliff of St. Charles, MO; aunt, Monti Lou Ratliff of Ethel, MO, cousins, Sherri and Roger McGregor of Hannibal, MO and their children Brendan McGregor and Lairyn McGregor, and Melanie and Mark Stonecipher and family of North Kansas City, MO.  She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Payne was preceded in death by a infant brother, Jerry Joe Gillespie and sister, Donna Bailey.

Margaret graduated from Brookfield High School in 1955. Margaret worked at the Hannibal Courier-Post as a receptionist for over eighteen years.  She also worked part-time at the Missouri Division of Tourism in Hannibal. Her job at the tourism office was her dream job, she truly enjoyed meeting and visiting with all the tourist traveling through Hannibal.

Margaret enjoyed sewing and quilting as well as cooking for family and friends.  Margaret's biggest love was her family and the time they cherished together.

Margaret was a member of South Side Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be Eddie Willett, Brendan McGregor, Roger McGregor, Mark Stonecipher, Matt Gillespie and Mike Skeen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to South Side Baptist Church, 701 Fulton Avenue, Hannibal, MO, 63401 or Janet Willett, for a fund setup in Margaret's name to assist needy children, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Margaret's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com.

Southside Baptist Church
701 Fulton Ave., Hannibal MO 63401

Janet Willett