Evelyn Moody Payson, 96, passed away March 15 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport surrounded by her family.
Evelyn was born April 4, 1910 in Warren, a daughter of the late Willis and Sadie Castner Moody.
She grew up in Warren and graduated from Warren High School, class of 1928.
On Sept. 12, 1928, she married Merrill Wesley Payson and together they made their home in Warren. They later gave up farming and moved to the East Warren Highland where she was dedicated to her family life, raising her children and gardening.
She loved to cook and made jams and jellies, which she mainly gave away to her family and friends. She also enjoyed making donuts, yeast rolls and pies, which were the delight of family and friends.
She served in WWII from 1941-1945 as a civil defense plane spotter.
She was a member of the St. Georges River Canal Association and a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Association. She was president of the Ladies Auxiliary for one year and was a current member of the Acorn Grange. At the age of 14, she joined the White Oak Grange. For a few years, when her children were young, she took time off from her grange activities. In 2006 she received her 65-year member certificate. She was a member of the Senior Citizens of Union, the Warren Historical Society, the Tuesdays Ladies Circle, Golden Sheaf Member, Seventh degree member of the State and National Grange, and Activities Grange Chairwoman in CWA for many years. She did volunteer work all her life and was active tending the gardens in Payson Park.
She enjoyed crocheting, needlework, puzzles, and making quilts, which won many ribbons at grange events.
She was predeceased by her husband, Merrill W. Payson; daughter, Phyllis Vargas; grandsons, Chad Payson and Gary Grondin; brother, Willis Moody; sisters, Ruth Wiley, Bertha Perry, Ella Benner, and Virginia Beers; son-in-law, Preston Perkins; and daughter-in-law, Geraldine Payson.
Survivors include her daughters, Faye Doucette and husband Forest of Warren, Carolyne Perkins of Rockland, Marilyn Boynton and husband David of Florida, and Patricia Weaver and husband Brian of Warren; sons, William Payson and wife Rebecca of Plant City, Fla., Robert Payson and wife Peggy of Pownal, Gerald Payson and wife Ludel of Maine and Arizona, Richard Payson and wife Jane of Lockhart, Tex., and Andre Payson and wife Robin of Bellevue, Neb.; 29 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Hazel Gammon of Warren, and Freda Stimpson of Warren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours 2-5 p.m., Sun., March 18 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
Celebration of Evelyn’s life 1 p.m., Mon., March 19 at the Warren Baptist Church, Warren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Evelyn’s memory to P.B.H.C.F.,
Attn: Bonnie Wescott, 22 White St., Rockland, ME 04841. Please note on your check that the donation is for the Nursing Scholarship Fund in memory of Phyllis Vargas.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
