Rosa Bell Winkler Payne

Mrs. Rosa Bell Winkler Payne, age 98, of Suches, GA passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2015 after a long period of declining health.

"Rose" as she was known by everyone, was born December 3, 1916 in Jackson County, GA to Lawson Alexander Winkler and Eva Lou Jane Ferguson Winkler. The family moved by covered wagon to Kellum Valley in White County, GA when she was about 2 years old. On November 8, 1947, Rose married George Andrew Payne and moved to Suches, GA, where she lived the rest of her life.

Rose was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, and was a member of Zion Baptist Church. She was known for her hard work, her kindness, her love of family (especially children), her love of flowers, and her ability to crochet. She lived with her mother and helped her family and neighbors until she married George, a widower with 5 children. She was a mother to those and had 2 children of her own.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents and 11 brothers and sisters; her husband of 53 years, George Andrew Payne; stepson, James D. Payne and wife Chlorina Osborne Payne of Michigan; stepson, Charles E. Payne and wife Sarah Ruth Dyer Payne of Cleveland, GA; and stepson-in-law, James J. Davis of Cleveland, Ohio.

She is survived by stepson, Claude D. Payne and wife Camille Roedler Payne, Dahlonega, GA; stepdaughter, Ellen L. Davis, Cleveland, Ohio; stepdaughter, Helen Louvenia Morgan and husband Bob Morgan, Athens, GA; daughter, Delores A. Seabolt and husband Allen ("Pete") Seabolt, Dahlonega, GA; and son, Doyle D. Payne and wife Kattie Gravitt Payne, Suches, GA. Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and other relatives also survive.

The family acknowledges with special gratitude the care provided to Rose by Dr. Don Pruitt, Dr. Donna Whitfield, the staff of Hospice of Northeast GA Medical Center, and her dedicated and loving caregivers.

Funeral services for Rose are scheduled for 3 PM Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Zion Baptist Church in Suches, GA.

Rev. Phillip Robinson, Rev. Stephen Adams, and Dr. Don Pruitt will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Rose will lie in state at the church from 2 PM-3 PM.

The family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega from 4 PM until 8 PM on Friday, February 27, 2015.

Online condolences can be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of arrangements.