Visitation
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
2:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Livonia, West of Middlebelt
30200 Five Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 525-9020
Rosary at 7:00 pm
Service
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM EST
St. Valentine
14841 Beech Daly
Redford, MI 48239
*Instate 10:00 AM
Life Story / Obituary
Onda Payne was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. A caring nurturer, she cherished her years as a mother and was delighted with the arrival of her grandchildren. She leaves behind a rich legacy of accepting all people with compassion. Her warm personality, genuine friendship, and loving ways will be deeply cherished by all who knew and loved her.
The 1930s were significantly impacted by the effects of the Great Depression. In 1931, Onda was welcomed home in Mt. Airy, North Carolina joining her older brother Leonard. Later joined by her younger Brother, Gayle, Onda lived a typical childhood of the times.
As a result of the challenges of the Great Depression, her family relocated to Detroit by the time she was three years old. Onda enjoyed playing with girlfriends in the neighborhood as well as friends of her brother’s including his good buddy, Charles Payne. He was also the brother of her dear lifelong friend, Martha. Onda’s dad had affectionately nicknamed her, Jack, during her developing years. Her life was mostly uneventful with the exception of a moment in time when she and her friend Martha were asked to sing into the intercom of a policeman’s car radio! Although she was quite shy in high school, Onda never lacked for friends. Ambitious as well as skilled, she set off to work at All State as a secretary to the vice president shortly after graduation. Now in her early twenties, she was rekindled with her childhood friend, Chuck. Now thirty, he had returned home from his harrowing years serving in WWII and they were smitten with one another. They joined in marriage at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Detroit. Together they raised four wonderful children, Sue, Mary, Nancy, and John.
Onda relished in her years as a mother. She loved doting on her kids and serving a hot meal for the family when Chuck returned home from work. Devout Catholics, they shared their strong Christian values and taught their children to treat everyone with kindness. She was a wonderful homemaker and worked hard to provide a comfortable home for her family. For many summers, they often traveled to North Carolina to visit her parents. They created many lasting memories together. When the children were grown and on their own, Onda went to work for a local doctor’s office. For more than twenty years, she worked in the medical field and retired in her seventies from Providence Hospital as a transcriptionist. She and Chuck attended Our Lady Queen of Hope in Detroit before moving to Redford where they attended mass at St. Valentine’s Catholic Church. Modeling a beautiful and faithful marriage they leaned on their faith many times throughout their sixty-two year union. Their children were blessed by the example of their love for one another.
Onda had many special pastimes during her lifetime. Always busy and on the go, she cleaned, cooked, volunteered, and went to daily Mass when she could. As equally as she gave selflessly to others, she also enjoyed her daily naps! Her life was a loving lesson of putting God first, then family, then others. Onda treasured her years volunteering in the local soup kitchens, along with her daughter, Susan, as well as driving people to their doctor appointments. Deeply compassionate, Onda was always accepting of others and gave generously to those in need. Onda always felt blessed to have such a loving family and a life of abundance. A highlight for hers was traveling to Medjugorje, a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Virgin Mary appeared on Apparition Hill in 1981. Onda was elated to take a pilgrimage here on three separate occasions. Each time she came away feeling closer to her faith and committed to sharing it with others.
As much as she enjoyed her years as a mother, she was delighted to welcome grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Anytime her family was gathered together, her heart was full. Sadly in 2013, she and Chuck lost their oldest daughter, Susan. They leaned on their strong belief in Jesus and his teachings to see them through their difficult loss. Later in 2017, her sweetheart, Chuck passed away at the age of ninety-three, and her other daughter Mary, also died unexpectedly that year. Onda carried on although she missed them dearly. With many small acts of love and great courage, Onda lived her life humbly following the teachings of her Lord and Savior. She was a beautiful person to know and to love. Humble and selfless, she leaves behind a rich tapestry of memories for her loved ones and special friends to cherish forever.