Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Ms. Rose Virenda Payne, of Mt. Hope, WV, transitioned to be with her LORD at 4:40 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley, WV. She transitioned peacefully in her sleep with the same elegance, grace and dignity in which she lived her life. She was 74 years old.

Rose was born on February 03, 1949, in Mt. Hope, WV, to the late Matthew J. and Gladys M. Brooks Payne. She was planted firmly in Turkey Knob, Mt. Hope, WV, where she was raised and nurtured under the doting care and watchful eye of her beloved Mother and protective shield of her Father. She was preceded in death by her father, Matthew J. Payne and mother, Gladys Mae Brooks Payne.

Rose attended the Dubois Elementary School, the segregated elementary school in Mt. Hope, for her formative grammar school education. She then attended Mt. Hope Junior High and Mt. Hope High Schools. She graduated from Mt. Hope High with the class of 1967.

Much of Rose’s early life centered around activities at the First Baptist Church of Mt. Hope, where she attended from birth with her mother who was a faithful and devout Christian woman. Rose gave her life to Christ and was Baptized and joined the First Baptist Church at an early age. She was active in Sunday School and youth groups as a child and teen and benefited from the love and support from the First Baptist family. Her unwavering commitment to Christ and His Church continued to the end of her earthly life. She never strayed from the way. As an adult she served the Church for over 53 years in the capacities of Sunday School teacher, youth leader, choir member, and women’s ministries to name a few.

Rose’s ministry extended beyond the walls of the Church. For decades she and her mother maintained a weekly routine of church attendance and lunch followed by visiting and fellowship with the home bound and those in hospitals and nursing home. She preached sermons with her service to others.

Rose’s ministry also extended to her country through her employment. After graduating from Beckley Junior College in 1970, she accepted employment with United States Military Entrance Processing Command in Beckley, WV, where she would have a 53-year career of distinguished service.

Rose would become one of the most tenured and highly decorated federal employees in United States Military Entrance Processing Command history. She dedicated 53 faithful years of service to the Beckley Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). She began her service with the Beckley Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station in January 1970, where she served as a clerk typist until 1973; then as a military personnel clerk from 1973 to 1979. Her next role was that of a secretary from 1979 to 2009 until she became the administrative support technician which she served as until her passing.

During her tenure, Ms. Payne embodied “Red Carpet Treatment” and provided legendary customer service to internal and external supervisors, employees, and customers. Her passionate commitment to the organization’s mission over a span of 53 years enabled the processing of over 200,000 applicants into the five branches of the U.S. military. For her exceptionally outstanding service to the Command and Department of Defense, Ms. Payne was awarded 10 Certificates of Achievement and four Civilian Service Achievement Medals.

Rose was a proud and active member of the Mountain of Hope Organization, where she served as the secretary. Rose loved to travel with friends on the senior tour bus trips. She was an avid sports fan and was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers football fan. She loved the Black and Gold.

Rose’s most important, impactful and impressive ministry was not to her Church, Community or Country, but instead to her parents. Rose took to heart the first commandment in the Bible with a promise. That is to honor your father and mother that your days on the earth might be long and that it might be well with thee. As a youth, Rose honored her father and mother by being a good student in school, maintaining excellent deportment and exemplary respect toward her teachers and classmates.

Rose further demonstrated her love and devotion to her father as she assisted her mother in caring for him as his health deteriorated over the last decade and a half of his life. They made sure he wanted for nothing and remained at home until his passing. Rose’s love, devotion and dedication to her mother was reminiscent of the devotion that the Bible says that Ruth had for Naomi. Rose and Mother Gladys were inseparable until Mother Gladys’ home going in 2021 at the tender age of 101. Rose was there preparing her mother’s lunch.

God planted Rose in Turkey Knob, Mt. Hope 74 years ago. She chose to bloom where she was planted, and like a real beautiful Rose to allow the beauty, fragrance and aroma of her life to be a blessing to all who she encountered. A Real Rose is always a Real Rose and everyone loves a Real Rose. We all love our Beautiful Rose.

Rose leaves to mourn her passing her brothers, Rev. Matthew J. Watts (Pamela) of Charleston, WV, Cuther Lee Watts of Millersville MD, sister, Dr. Ollie Watts-Davis (Harold) of Champaign, IL, uncle, Leroy Brooks of Boston MS, aunt, Patricia Cobbs (John) of Alexandria, VA and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, Mustangs’, Steeler Nations and her MEPS family.

Funeral service will be 1:00PM Saturday, March 18, 2023 at United Missionary Baptist Church 205 S. Fayette Ave. Mt. Hope with Rev. Matthew J. Watts officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to United Missionary Baptist Church 205 S. Fayette Ave. Mt. Hope, WV 25880

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.