Rosalind Young Payne

Rosalind Y. Payne was born January 23, 1931, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Edward E. and Rosa E. Young. Rosalind grew up with her siblings, John Edward, Betty, Norman, and Olivia. She attended Stow Elementary School and graduated from East Vocational High School. Rosalind met the love of her life, Walter O. Payne, Sr., at a dance held at the Castle Farm Dance Hall. There was an instant connection between the two as Walter walked Rosalind home after dancing all night, ultimately leading to him missing his own bus home. They were united in marriage on July 22, 1950 and enjoyed seventy-one years together. To this union of hearts and souls, five children were born.

During her youth, Rosalind was a member of the first African American Girls Scouts Troop in Cincinnati. She went on to become the Greater Cincinnati Girl Scouts Area Chair and Leader for over twenty years. As a strong presence within the community, she volunteered with Cincinnati Public Schools District; mentored young ladies in etiquette, and hygiene; served as Dance Coordinator at College Hill Elementary School for eight years; conducted mission work at Clovernook School of the Blind for five years and worked the voting polls for over sixty years.

Above all her many different roles and titles Rosalind was an exemplary woman of God. She not only devoted her spiritual gifts to the community at large but was also dedicated to uplifting God's Kingdom within her church, Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, where she was a lifelong member. Rosalind served with distinction as President of the Women’s Missionary Society for three terms. As a missionary, she held many leadership positions such as Conference 1st and 2nd Vice President, Conference Treasurer, and District Corresponding Secretary. Rosalind’s other service within the church included being a Steward for over fifty years and earning emeritus status; being an Usher since the age of ten, for which she faithfully continued to serve for sixty-nine years; and being, at the time, one of five women to serve in the church’s finance committee. Along with teaching in the Sunday School Program for many years, Rosalind remained a student of the bible by participating in Sunday School until she was called home. 

While not spending time at church Rosalind worked for Macy’s Distribution Center and Drees Homes. Over the years her hands made thousands of canape sandwiches for catering events and people often dropped by her house for some of her cooking. She had a gift of making food taste like nothing you could ever replicate even if you used the exact same ingredients. Rosalind hosted and attended countless retreats, church conventions, and teas. She loved dancing, drinking wine with her loved ones, and playing cards in her spare time. No matter what was going on in the world, Rosalind never missed an episode of her favorite soap operas: The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless. 

Rosalind’s beloved husband, Walter, preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn, her only surviving sibling, Oliva I. Montgomery; her sister-in-law, Emily C. Payne-Jackson, her children: Donzella K. Payne, Darnell (dec. Joanie) Payne, Walter Oliver (Sharon) Payne, Jr., Terry E. Payne, and Julie L. Payne-Kates; granddaughters; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren. Rosalind will be lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews; Missionary sisters; several surrogate children that she adopted under her wing to mentor and love; a host of extended family members along with countless neighbors and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rosalind Young Payne, please visit our floral store.