Maxine Payne Taylor

Maxine Lorrine  “Lucky” Payne (Stone)  Taylor, formerly of 1016 McKimmon Rd in Fayetteville, passed away peacefully at her beach residence near Oak Island at the age of 97. Lucky was born January 12, 1924, to Samuel and Julia (Slama) Payne. She graduated from high school in Omaha, Nebraska, married her soldier George Stone, Jr. and had two daughters.

In 1952, Maxine and daughters joined her parents in Spring Lake, NC.  She was married on Jan. 1, 1958, to her late husband William (Bill) J. Taylor.  Bill retired from the 82nd Airborne shortly thereafter, and Maxine retired from the Fort Bragg Post Exchange after advancing to the accounting department.

Our amazing Maxine is survived by her two daughters, Jacqueline “Jacci” Darlene Stone and Lois Lorrine (Stone) Hughes, who devotedly cared for her in later years, along with Lois’ husband Dave Hughes. She is also survived by her two grandsons and their families: James “Skip” H. Graham III & Bonnie R. (Rierson) Graham, their sons Pierce T. Graham and Connor N. Graham and their mother Kathleen M. (Harrington) Graham; Christopher T. Graham and Shanti Mandan Wesley, their son Satya James Wesley Graham. 

If you were her friend, you knew her as Maxine, Lucky, or Grandma T, and you knew what a real friend was. She was a practical joker, trickster, laugher,  smiler, hugger.  She was queen of the too loud whisper or inappropriate interruption at the most appropriate time.  As a friend said, Maxine would light up a room.

For our family, filled with individuals that never sit still, she was always and forever our solid rock. Our greatest, loudest, most embarrassing cheerleader. Most importantly, she was always the “home” in our heart where we could return, when world weary, to just be “loved”. She was our place to rest. Her fridge would have leftovers and her cupboard cookies. She was our mom and our grandma, and we will miss her so much it is beyond words.  

A viewing will be held at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home, 500 Ramsey St. Fay, NC, 28301 this Fri., Sept 17, 1-2pm, funeral service at 2pm. Procession follows to Cumberland Memorial Gardens at 4509 Raeford Rd, Fay, NC, 28304.

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