Maxine Payton

Maxine Payton
Services will be held Thursday June 30 at 1 P.M. for Mrs. Lowell Payton Maxine Jeanette Key at Jefferson Street Church of Christ in Hobbs with Clay Martin presiding.
Born June 11, 1918, at McDonald Flat near Weed, New Mexico, she passed away June 26. The sixth child of Alex S. Key and Willie Hawkins Key, she is preceded in death by nine siblings who were pioneers in eastern New Mexico.
A graduate of Eastern New Mexico Normal School ENMU in 1936, she taught school at Pion, before marrying James Lowell Payton on July 9 1938. They taught at Caprock, Roy and East Grand Plains prior to moving to Hobbs in 1949, they influenced many in these communities both intellectually and spiritually. She was primarily a homemaker, mother and helpmeet for her husband. She was honored as a New Mexico Merit Mother of the Year in 1975.
As a founding family of Jefferson Street Church of Christ, She was a bible class teacher and ladies bible class teacher for over 50 years while her husband served as a Deacon and Elder of the church. Lowell was principal of several schools including Hobbs High School from 19531959 while Maxine was a regular of almost every school and church event, actively supporting the integration of the school system and the church. She rarely missed an opportunity to provide solace for the sick and elderly in the community and was active in Grandmothers Club and Friendship Club. Her home was always open to new members of the church, neighbors and teenagers, hosting thousands over the years. She regularly visited shutins, rest homes and hospitals with Christian care and food.
She is survived by three children, a daughter, Constance Marian Robinson of Abilene, Texas, and two sons, Ronald Lowell Payton of Euless, Texas and Key Flowell Payton of Burbank, California five grandchildren, Ronald Todd Payton Seabrook, TX, Stephanie Robyn Robinson Hamilton Abilene, TX, Lana Michelle Redfearn Uvalde, TX, Rhett Lowell Robinson and Tom Harris Anchorage, AK. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, but other survivors include 12 great grandchildren, and 2 greatgreat grandchildren and hosts of nephews, nieces and their families.
Maxine will lie in state at the Chapel of Hope on Wednesday with visitation from 8 a.m. 7p.m. Burial will be at Prairie Haven Memorial Park under direction of the Chapel of Hope. Memorials can be sent to New Mexico Christian Childrens Home, 1356 New Mexico 236, Portales, New Mexico.

Visitation

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
8 a.m. 7 p.m. Wednesday

Service

Church Service

Jefferson Street Church of Christ
1526 N. Jefferson
Hobbs, NM  88240
Thursday, June 30, 2011
1 p.m. Thursday

Cemetery

Prairie Haven Memorial Park
2201 E. Stanolind
Hobbs, NM  88240