Cynthia Davette Payne “bka” Davette was the first born to David and Vera Payne on November 4, 1953. She was born and raised in Cleveland, OH attending St. Henry elementary and Marymount High School. She attended Albany State University in Albany, GA., and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. While attending school, she became a member of Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. Sorority.

After graduating, she landed a position as an engineer with AT& T formally known as Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company. She was with this company for over 20 years until she had to return to Cleveland due to an illness. After arriving in Cleveland, she was able to secure a part-time position with the City of Cleveland.

She was stricken again with another illness that took her out of the workforce permanently. But that did not keep her from doing her ministry of volunteer work. She started with an organization called Seeds of Literacy. A program that assisted adults with their GED. She also volunteered at Iowa Maple elementary school with children who had difficulties reading on their grade level. Another ministry Davette had was a heart for people, even while facing her own health challenges. She had a telephone ministry where she routinely reached out to those facing life challenges to give them words of hope.

She was a board member with Eliza Bryant Nursing Home, an instrument in their fundraising events. One special event she sponsored was a fashion show specifically designed to wear hats. Each board member had to design and wear their hats down the runway.

While she was living in Atlanta she started a side-business as an event planner. She planned weddings, birthday parties, house warmings. She started a Cleveland Club in Atlanta for members who were from Cleveland living in Atlanta. She also started a birthday club for friends who had birthdays under the zodiac sign of Scorpions. Believe or not, Davette could sing. She sang in her church choir Hope United in Atlanta, GA.

Although, she never had children, she was instrumental in the care of her grandmother, her mother and her particularly good friend, Tyrone.

She leaves to mourn a sister, Ardith June Lynch (Zack), plethora of nieces; Crystal Nicole Payne, Jennifer Yvette Smith, Amber Charisse Payne, Jacquelyn Chavone Smith; Autumn Nichele Paul (John), nine great nieces and nephew; Tayshaun David Payne-Gibson, Christian Isaiah Green, Hunter Timothy Eugene Payne, Urban Lorenz Payne, Zoe Mackinzie Paul, Sabrina Eliza Paul, Porter Erwin Keith Porter, Adorah Joi Lord, Jaylen Amare’ Maxwell. Her half-uncle from Memphis, Tennessee, Willie B. Watson (Sheila), a former sister-in-law, Cynthia Hooks Payne and a host of friends. and a host of friends. Those loved ones who preceded her in death were her parents David and Vera Payne a brother, Graylin Lamond Payne, and one niece, Joi Renee Smith. Davette departed us on September 22, 2024. Her sudden death was unexpected, but the Lord was ready for her to come home too, even though it was so close to her mom leaving. Now she is rejoicing with her full sight again and hearing her Savior, saying, “well done my good and faithful servant.”