Mabel Bernice Payne

A funeral service for Mabel Bernice (Clowdus) Payne, 94, of Alvarado, will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in the Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home Chapel located at 512 N Ridgeway Dr, Cleburne, TX 76033 with Pastor Tom Davis officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethany Rest Cemetery located at 615 County Road 810 North, Alvarado, TX 76009. There will be a time of visitation for family and friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the funeral home on May 22, 2026.

Mabel Bernice Payne, a devoted servant of her faith and a beloved member of her community, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, in Alvarado, Texas. Born on April 25, 1932, in Alvarado, she lived a life rich in dedication, service, and love.

She was a longtime charter member of Central Baptist Church of Alvarado. Mabel’s commitment to her ministry was evident throughout her lifetime. At the age of 13, Mabel accepted Jesus as her savior at a tent revival. Her musical talents enriched many services, as she played the piano with grace and devotion. Beyond her spiritual contributions, Mabel served over thirty years with Southwestern Bell, demonstrating the same steadfast commitment in her professional life. She was also a principal at Calvary Christian Academy, shaping minds and nurturing the next generation. Remarkably, Mabel continued educating others well into her eighties, embodying a lifelong passion for learning and teaching.

Mabel was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Tittle Payne; daughter, Lwana Brown; stepdaughter, Tracy Payne; parents, Edgar Lorell Clowdus and Beatrice Bivens; sisters, Odette Clowdus and Margie Smith, and brothers Franklin and Norman Clowdus.

She is survived by her step-daughter, Terry Lynn Karpenko, step-son, Roy Dewayne Payne & his wife, Dawn; grandchildren, Donald Brown & his wife, Jackie, Sean Brown, Ben Brown & his wife, Sarah, Kristy White, Erica Nall & her husband, Erik, Trista Payne & her husband, Shawn Willeford, Zack Herrera & his wife, Crystal, Justin Harris & his wife, Krista, and Ashton Payne; 25 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Mabel Bernice Payne’s life was a testament to unwavering faith, lifelong education, and lasting impact. She leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and inspiration that will continue to resonate within her family, friends, and the countless lives she touched.