Geraldine Searcy Payne (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas—Geraldine Searcy Payne, 80, died Saturday, January 12, 2013 in Tulia. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, January 16, 2013 in the Central Church of Christ with Mr. Bruce Baird and Mr. Chris Searcy officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. Gerry was born November 29, 1932 in Beaver, Oklahoma to V.O. and Maxine Searcy. She grew up in Beaver and graduated from Beaver High School in 1950. She married Doug Payne on September 26, 1953. They moved to Tulia in January 1957. She was a teacher and coach for the Tulia ISD for 28 years, teaching Typewriting, Shorthand, English and PE. She started the Girls Golf program at THS in 1976 and her team went to State in 1981, 1982 and 1983. She also had students go to the State UIL competition in shorthand and typewriting where Tulia placed 1st twice in shorthand. She was named the 1974-1975 Tulia Teacher of the Year. She was also inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 as Golf Coach of the Year. She retired from teaching in 1985. She was a member of Central Church of Christ. She is preceded in death by her parents: V.O. and Maxine Searcy, four brothers and one sister: Omar, Bill, Vernon, Ronnie Searcy and Nadine Hecox. She is survived by her husband: Doug Payne of Tulia, her son and daughter-in-law: Don and Robin Payne of Canyon, her daughter and son-in-law: Denise and Tony Dean of Mart, one brother: Chuck Searcy of Las Vegas, NM, four grandchildren: Kelly and Ian Ritchey of Big Spring, Coulter Payne of San Angelo, Erin Leigh Angelos of Shertz and Mikey Bielamowicz of Belton and three great grandchildren: Kartyr Ritchie of Big Spring, Ayden and Kylan Angelos, both of Shertz. Memorials may be made to the Central Church of Christ, 300 N. Donley, Tulia, Texas 79088.