Jane Frances Paysinger's Obituary
Jane Frances Paysinger passed peacefully from this earth to her
heavenly home January 26th, 2021, in Memphis, Tennessee due
to complications from COVID-19.
Jane first saw the light of day May 28th, 1953, in Oak Ridge, TN.
She grew up in the countryside just south of Cleveland, TN and spent
her early summers swimming in the Ocoee and Conasauga Rivers with her
brother John and sister Nancy. There was plenty of yard to play
in, trees to climb, and pets to play with, especially cats. Jane
loved cats. Her parents always made sure there were plenty of
books to read and enough chores, fun, and otherwise to keep
Jane and her siblings occupied. The whole family was active in 4-
H as Dad was the assistant county agent. Besides the “required”
public speaking, Jane’s specialty was food preservation. She
loved music and began piano lessons in elementary school.
Mozart was her favorite composer. Piano lessons continued well
into high school, and along the way Jane added the French horn
to her repertoire, playing all 4 years in the Cleveland High Blue
Raider Marching Band. She was a good student throughout her
school years and graduated in 1971.
Jane set her sights on a career in pharmacy and received her
doctorate from the UT School of Pharmacy in Memphis. Her first
two pharmacy jobs landed her in New York and Ohio. After 10
years in hospitals, Jane shifted gears and headed to seminary.
Here’s why ... more or less. As Jane grew up, her family was very
active in their home church, Valley View Baptist. It was there she
professed and proclaimed her Faith Statement — that her
Salvation is in Jesus Christ. It was also there that she learned
about Lottie Moon and her mission work in 1800’s China. Jane
loved giving to the Lottie Moon Missions at her church. Her faith
and her strong belief in missions led her to serve as a missionary
for 17 years in Nalerigu, Ghana, managing the pharmacy at the
Baptist Medical Centre there. During Jane’s tenure, the hospital
and pharmacy staff treated approximately 400 people daily. The
BMC served the northeast region of Ghana and the surrounding
countries of Togo and Burkina Faso. Jane shared many exciting
stories with family and friends about her adventures in Ghana, the
interesting people she met, and the varied customs of different
religions. She also brought back gifts for family, friends, loved
ones, anyone. Jane was a very giving person. A quiet, generous,
giving person.
Jane is predeceased by her parents Marjorie Campbell Paysinger
Lee and John Robert Paysinger, Sr., brother Paul Lee Paysinger,
grandparents Easter Jane Reed, John Paul Campbell, Sr.,
Frances Mae Owen, and Robert Lee Paysinger, as well as
numerous beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jane is also
predeceased by stepfather G. B. Lee and step-siblings Karyl
(Cookie) Lee Mee and Russ Lee.
She is survived by her sister Nancy of Memphis; brother John, Jr. and wife Mary of Trinidad, California; and John’s children, Sunny and Josh of Oregon, Isis of California, Micah of Arizona, and grand- daughter Jade of Oregon. She is also survived by Nancy Ann Bisby Paysinger and Lee Tate, Jr of Oregon; aunt, Mary Paysinger Wolaver of North Carolina and her family; step-siblings Pat Henley of Johnson City, TN and Sally Lee, Polly and Bob Lee, all of Cleveland, TN; and numerous cousins. Jane is also survived by her adopted Memphis family, Jerri and Ken Russell and their family; her beloved mission field family and her church families. Her cats, Callie and Eli, miss her terribly and are well cared for by Jane’s neighbor, Paige.
Due to the current pandemic, there will be a Celebration of Life Service
for Jane at Second Baptist Church, 4680 Walnut Grove RD, Memphis,
at a later date.
A brief graveside service will be officiated by Dr. Stephen Cook,
February 6th, 11:00 am at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, 38119. Masks and social distancing are required at the graveside.
Arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Park Funeral Home.
To honor Jane’s memory and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to her favorite charities/organizations:
Mid-South Food Bank, Memphis Union Mission, ASPCA, Valley View Storehouse
(4657 Spring Place Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323), The George Faile
Foundation, Inc. (supports the Nalerigu hospital - 506 East 3rd St,
Rome, GA 30161).
What’s your fondest memory of Jane?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jane?
Share a story where Jane's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jane you’ll never forget.
How did Jane make you smile?