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A memorial service to celebrate and remember the life of Toni Lynn Payne will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in the chapel at DeLozier Funeral Service. Toni passed away at her home in Chelsea on Monday, June 30, 2025. She was 73 years old.
Born in Canton, Ohio on May 30, 1952, to Owen Lee and Anita (McDonald) Stevenson. Because of her father’s work, Toni was raised and educated in several different states, but graduated from high school in Honey Creek, Indiana. She continued her education at Claremore Junior College (now Rogers State University), where she received an Associate’s Degree. On December 31, 1986, in Miami, OK, Toni married the love of her life Johnie D. Payne. Toni helped to add to the family finances working as a dental assistant for Dr. Darryl Reed in Claremore for many years. After leaving the dental office she went on to work for Wanda Inman at the Sterling House in Claremore as the activity director. Not content with just staying at home, Toni began working for DeLozier Funeral Service in Chelsea as a funeral assistant until her health began to decline and she took a leave of absence.
Toni was a people person and had the gift of compassion. Wherever she went she lit up the room with an out-going personality and great sense of humor. Toni was frugal at heart and never really shopped but, when she did, she wanted to find the best deal out there. She liked to save money and according to her husband had she not had that quality they would have been flat broke. Toni liked arts and crafts and with sister Jonnie Faye they were always doing some type of craft project or traveling to Canton, TX to the huge flea market and always coming home with a new treasure. Or perhaps just out getting into some type of mischief with her. Toni was adventurous; her and Johnie did extensive traveling all over the world. She did sky diving and even tried her hand at showing her dog Rocky. According to family that didn’t work out so well for Toni or Rocky. The beach was definitely her happy place and throughout her life, Toni got to see some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. When it came to life events and functions, Toni was the first to be a willing participant and made sure everything was done “Toni’s way.”
Never having children of her own. Toni was the favorite aunt and had a unique relationship with each of her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed her time with Sophia and maybe gave her a little extra encouragement along the way.
A lady that has touched so many lives and left a legacy that will live on in the lives of her family and friends. Toni is survived by her husband Johnie Payne, nieces, Renee Heenan and husband Dan and their family, Angie Woodson and husband John and their family, Missy Layman and husband Wayne and their family, nephews, Daniel Morse and Mac Morse, and sister-in-law, Martha Arrowood and her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Jonnie Faye and Shelly.
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