Stella Jane Payne, 89, of Owensboro, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026 while under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. She was born October 30, 1936 in Island, Kentucky to the late Avery McDonald Sr. and Stella Vanover McDonald. Stella had worked a MPD and General Electric and was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Maddox; stepdaughter, Kathy Payne; and brothers, Bobby McDonald, Norman McDonald, Avery McDonald Jr. and Carlos McDonald.
She is survived by her husband, Daniel “Danny” Payne; daughters, Freda Ammons, Sherry Dickens (Wayne), and Penni Maddox; stepchildren, Danny Payne Jr. (Tina) and Douglas Payne (Lisa); grandchildren, Kelly Shinton, Andrea English, Mykayla Maddox, Khiry Maddox, Levi Duke, and Ashton Randazzo; step-grandchildren, Jessica Goatee, Donovan Payne, Brettlinn Hulsey, and Jackie Payne; 11 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will follow in Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Visitation is from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.