Leella Clarice Payne

On the day she passed away, wouldn’t you know it, Leella left behind a brilliant double rainbow that arched across the Southern California sky. That was Leella, a beautiful array of celestial light. On January 29, 2021, Leella Clarice Payne passed peacefully in her sleep after a long illness. She was 80.  Born August 1, 1940, she was one of eight children of Albin and Leella Simmons. A lifelong Omahan, Leella graduated from Tech High and completed course work at Metropolitan Community College. Leella’s daughter Rev. Bobbie Lee Anderson described her mother this way: “If she met you, she would have something nice to say.” Leella spent 32 years in human services and was passionate about meeting her client’s needs, spending her own money to take them on vacations every year. She worked at Encor before becoming the first Black supervisor for advisors of mentally challenged adults for the state of Nebraska. She retired in 2005. Outside of work, Leella had a full life with her family and church. As a youngster she and two friends, Velma and Jackie, formed an R&B trio called The Fascinators and performed throughout Omaha. In 2010, Leella was invited to be a soloist at a concert with the Bethel CME church choir in California and was featured in a story in the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Leella was a devoted member of Zion Baptist Church, where she accepted God and was baptized at a young age. She was an angelic pitch-perfect voice with spot-on harmony. She also played the piano and read music. Leella became an ordained evangelist in 1997 through Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles, under pastor Fred K.C. Price Sr. She even created her own home Bible study course with a number of faithful members.  Throughout her life, Leella had a deep and abiding faith that she shared through her arts and crafts. Over the years, Leella made laminated bookmarks with Bible verses and prayers that she shared with any and all, especially if you needed a little spark of faith. Known as Aunt Lollie to her nieces and nephews and Lolliepop to her parents, she was a joy to her widespread family. Leella was preceded in death by her parents, Albin and Leella and her siblings Albin Jr., Dorothy, Emma, Barbara and Esther. Leella is survived by her husband of 57 years Everett L. Payne of Omaha, her children; Timothy L. Payne and his wife Virginia of Omaha; Rev. Bobbie Lee Anderson of Los Angeles; Andrell W. Payne-Summage, of Omaha; siblings Lawrence Simmons of Las Vegas and Arland Simmons and his wife Kathy of Omaha, grandchildren; Kenneth Payton and his wife Myhesha; Justin Payne and his wife Precious, Brittany Payne, Braxton Summage and Temple Summage; great grandchildren Kenneth Jr., King, Elijah and Cartier; and a host of nieces and nephews. Have your cell phones ready to play Leella’s song “Who We Are” at the gravesite. Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Thursday, February 11th with Visitation 1 Hour prior to the service at Zion Baptist Church, 2215 Grant Street. Interment: Mount Hope Cemetery, 7602 Military Ave.