Jane Payne

Life began for Betty Jane Payne in a rock house near Apperson, Oklahoma on September 16, 1927. Born to Ruby and Otho Harvey, and she ascended to Heaven July 30, 2025. As a young girl you would see Jane on horseback about every day because her dad was a cowboy. Jane attended school in Apperson, Oklahoma riding to school on horseback and later graduating from Burbank, Oklahoma in 1945. An avid basketball player and went to state playoffs twice! Floyd Mckeever introduced his cousin Jane to Holton Payne; it was love at first sight. Harold Beckenholt (Rance Howard-Opie’s dad of the Andy Griffith Show) accompanied them on their first date. Holton and Jane married on July 22, 1945, and they started their family of five boys. They were so proud of their five boys… four of them turned out purdy good! Their first home was at the Hardesty Place on Little Beaver Crick, later becoming Creek as we got more educated. Then moving to Payne ranch in 1956, living there until 1974, the same year Mom and Dad bought the McClusky Ranch. Some tough times lay ahead for the Payne’s, low cattle prices and high interest. Just about did them in but they struggled forward and finally paid the ranch off in 2015! What an accomplishment. Finally got some relief and could not wipe the smiles off their faces.

Together mom and dad worked their entire life just to give their boys a good chance at life. Together they were presented with several conversation awards and the Governor’s Award, Mom was president of the Cowbells Association in 1978 and President of The Osage Cattle Women in 1996. She started a small grocery store in the old Divall Station to help feed the people of Shidler, and starting the Tender Loving Care to help clothe the community in need. Mom wanted to help everyone that she came in contact with.

A lifetime member of the Shidler Methodist Church, which she attended on a regular basis. A darn fine cook and always made homemade bread and biscuits with gravy. Mom made sure there was plenty of food for hungry people. She loved the ranch life. Milking cows and churning butter was a specialty of hers. She always loved having a big garden and beautiful roses. She lived out on the ranch her entire life. After dad passed, she lived by herself and was very independent, mowed her own grass and drove herself around until just recently. Truly the end of an era. She was loved by everyone that got the privilege to meet her. She wanted to go to Heaven peacefully at home in her own bed and that was exactly what happened. Truly the end of an era! Not a finer person on earth and we got to call her MOM!

Till we meet again… We love you Mom.