Kathy Payne

Kathy Lee Payne was born to Gene Allen and Angeline E. Lasseter in Waco, Texas, on August 8, 1964, and left this earth to be with her Lord and Savior on August 24, 2021, at the age of 57.

Kathy graduated from China Spring High School in 1982 where she enjoyed track & field, and basketball.  During the summers she was an allstar Little League softball player.  After high school, Kathy went on to find her passion for teaching while she attended Sam Houston State University and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.  She began her 30 year teaching career as a Math and Science 5th grade teacher at Galena Park ISD.  She continued to elevate her impact on children's education by later attending Lamar University where she graduated in 2010 with a Master’s in Technology Education which led her to her current position at Goose Creek ISD as a Regional Science Facilitator.  Her charismatic personality and passion for helping others has left an enormous legacy on the many lives she has touched with profound love without boundaries and unwavering commitment to education. She married the love of her life, and perfect match, Michael Earl Payne, March 7, 1998 at Highlands Methodist Church, in Highlands, Texas.   They were married for 23 years and have a son, Jason Michael Payne born February 8, 1999.

After moving to Baytown, Mike and Kathy shared a love of traveling, theater, and family gatherings. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Dorothy & Link Leichliter and Ted Johnson, paternal grandparents, Amy & Jim Lasseter, her mother-in-law Caroline Payne, and brother-in-law Mike Allman.

She is survived by her loving husband Mike Payne; and son, Jason Payne, her father-in-law, Earlon L. Payne & his wife Ginger; her parents, Gene & Angeline Lasseter; her sister, Kelly Valentine & brother-in-law Les and her daughter Andi; her sister, Kimberly Lasseter; her brother, Gene Lasseter & sister-in-law Cindy, and their children Cole and Addie; along with numerous 1st and 2nd cousins.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 29th from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Waco Memorial Mausoleum Chapel with funeral services to be held on Monday, August 30th at 10:30 am at Waco Memorial Mausoleum Chapel, 6623 South IH 35, Waco, TX 76706.  Interment will follow at Waco Memorial Park.

Memorials can be made to Second Baytown Church in Baytown, Texas or to the Fight Colorectal Cancer organization.   Pallbearers are  nephews Cole Lasseter, Matt Payne, cousins Robbie Lasseter, Jared Lasseter, Trey Robert, Lance Robert, Dale Rogers, and Sonny Lillard.

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