Artis (Artie) Mary Long Payne, 96, a longtime Asheville area resident, went into the arms of Jesus from Hospice's Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, North Carolina early Friday morning, November 24, 2023.

Artie was born on May 4, 1927, in Muskegon, Michigan and attended nurses training at St. Lukes Hospital in Chicago, from which she earned her RN. While in Chicago, she met William (Bill) Payne, Jr., who was serving as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, and they married in 1952.

Loving and caring for everyone was Artie's heart. As a nurse, she shared her wealth of knowledge with future generations of healthcare providers by teaching medical terminology and clinical skills through Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. She also worked many years as a surgical assistant at Mission Hospital. Artie served as a president of the Children's Welfare League and the PTA, and she volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and in multiple positions at First Baptist Church of Asheville.

Joyful and welcoming, Artie cherished her many friends—playing tennis, hiking and hosting dinner parties with her bridge club. Her nickname was aptly "Party Artie." In retirement, Bill and Artie enjoyed educational trips with ElderHostel.

At the core of her being, Artie was other-focused, a consummate caregiver her entire life. She helped raise three younger siblings, then poured her heart and soul into her own three children and seven grandchildren. She frequently cared for friends and family members who were recovering from illnesses or surgery and always listened with a compassionate heart when someone had a problem. Even in her last years living with dementia at Brookdale in Asheville, she hurried to help other residents who had fallen or appeared upset. She told everyone, "I am a registered nurse," and they called her "Nurse Artie."

Artie and Bill were selflessly devoted to each other over their 70-year marriage and always put family first. The things that her family recalls her teaching and living out included "never give up," "always take the high road," and "to thine own self be true." Most of all, we knew we were always loved.

Artie was preceded in death by her parents Roy Hervin Long and Clara DeMars Long; husband William Taylor Payne Jr.; and brothers Roy Long and Paul Long.

She is survived by daughter Lynda (Richard) Greene of Boone, North Carolina; daughter Kathryn (John) Adams of Knoxville, Tennessee; son William Taylor (Leesa) Payne III of Burlington, North Carolina. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Laura (Doug) Brown of Tampa, Florida; Emily (Jonas) Anderson of Denver, Colorado; Paul (Jesika) Adams of Duluth, Georgia; Sarah Adams of Knoxville, Tennessee; Lydia Adams of Tucson, Arizona; Rachael Payne of Miami, Florida; William Taylor Payne IV of Burlington, North Carolina; and six great-grandchildren; sister Karen (Steve) Welter of White Hall, Michigan; and brother Dan (Sharon) Long of Muskegon, Michigan; sister-in-law Dawn Long of Greensboro, North Carolina; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Grassy Creek Community Church with pastor Richard Bare officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Reeves Family Cemetery in Grassy Creek following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Artis L. Payne at Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731; or Brookdale at Walden Ridge, 4 Walden Ridge Drive, Asheville, NC 28803.