Lois Jean Payne

Lois Jean Payne (nee Stockton) passed peacefully December 29, 2021 in her home surrounded by family. Lois was the eldest of four children born to Marshall Lloyd and Beulah Belle (nee Underwood) Stockton in Ringling, Oklahoma on September 8, 1933. The family moved to California when she was a toddler, residing briefly in Bakersfield and Arcadia before settling in Santa Paula. Lois attended Mupu School and Santa Paula High School where she excelled academically and participated in numerous extracurricular activities. 

After graduating from high school, she married William (Bill) Payne Jr. at the Methodist Church in Santa Paula. Bill was in the U.S. Navy at the time. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, they made their home in Santa Paula and then El Rio. Bill’s career in the aerospace industry took them to Arizona for one year and Germany for two years before they returned to California to settle in Camarillo for the last 60 plus years. 

Lois loved the “Pleasant Valley” and raised her family on Euclid Avenue where they enjoyed being part of a special group of people that were not just neighbors and friends, but extended family. As a mother and homemaker, she was active in many volunteer activities including 4H, ARC and school activities. In 1969 she took a job at Adolfo Camarillo High School (ACHS): first as a clerk in the nurse’s office, then as a library clerk. She loved working with all the staff and interacting with students. 

Lois was an adoring (and much adored) wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She could cook up a banquet on any given weekend for as many as wanted to attend -everyone was welcome and everyone came! She never met a person she could not begin a conversation with! 

Upon retirement, she and Bill travelled across the United States together - frequently accompanied by her siblings and cousins. They enjoyed cruising to Alaska and Mexico and “road tripping” the country. She also stayed active with friends from her years working at ACHS. Referring to themselves as “Tired and Retired”, they met monthly for dinner and other get togethers. 

She was preceded in death by her husband William P. Payne Jr.; her parents Marshall and Beulah Stockton; Siblings Bud (Gail) Stockton, Ron Stockton, and Sonja Pascual. She is survived by her children: Marc (Judy Greycloud), Tony (Sue Ledebur), Christy (Craig) Watkins and Perri (Bruce) Loft; Sister-in-law Jackie Bamber and Brother-in-law David Pascual. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren: Jill, Julie, Ashley, Jesse, Lindsay, Lauren, Christopher, Michael, Alex, Courtney, Rory and Brittany; and 8 great-grandchildren: Makayla, Jakob, Matthew, Aselin, Trent, Hayleigh, Violet and Piper. 

A ceremony to inter the earthly remains of Lois and Bill will be held on Saturday, 11 am, February 26, 2022 at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you enjoy time with your family and friends and live life to the fullest. 

~ Remember Me ~

Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow,
but remember me in every tomorrow.

Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles,

I've only gone to rest a little while.

Although my leaving causes pain and grief,

my going has eased my hurt and given me relief.

So dry your eyes and remember me,

not as I am now, but as I used to be.

Because I will remember you all and look on with a smile.

Understand, in your hearts, I've only gone to rest a little while.

As long as I have the love of each of you,

I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.

...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Directors