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Mrs. Lela Mae Payne Hillyard, 95, a former resident of Belington and more recently a resident of the Village at Riverview Assisted Living at Barboursville, West Virginia, departed this life Saturday March 15, 2025, in the care facility. Death was following a period of declining health.
She was born March 1, 1930, at Belington, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Lewis Wilson and Hattie Pearl Lantz Payne. On Sept. 24, 1960, she was united in marriage to Charles Gilbert "Whitey" Hillyard, who preceded her in death on Aug. 13, 2015.
She is survived by one daughter, Julie Anna Spears and husband, Gregory, of Ashland, Kentucky; one sister-in-law, Shirley Payne of Belington; two grandchildren, Ashley Jill Beach and husband, Aaron, of Salem, Massachusetts, and Robert Dean Thompson Jr. "Bo" and wife, Lauren, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and one great-granddaughter; Emily Elizabeth. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, John Payne, Harry "Buddy" Payne, Robert Lee "Bob" Payne and H.A. "Red" Payne; and one sister, Mary Romine. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Lela was a graduate of the Belington High School class of 1947. She obtained a teaching degree from Alderson Broaddus College and was employed as a teacher for the Barbour County School system, retiring after 30 years of service. During her teaching career, she advanced her education by completing graduate studies in education at WVU. She was a member of the Corley United Methodist Church and was a member of the OES Chapter 42 of Philippi. She also belonged to the Barbour County Retired Teachers Association and was a lifetime member of the PTA.
In her spare time, she enjoyed doing crafts, making quilts and traveling. She was musically inclined and loved singing and playing the piano. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and loved her family very much, she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her
Friends will be received from the Talbott Funeral Home 56 N. Brandenburg Street in Belington on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. the funeral hour where final rites will be conducted from the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Jimmie E. Tallman officiating. Interment will follow in the Fraternal Cemetery near Belington.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Mountain Hospice 102 S. Crim Ave. Belington, WV 26250.
Condolences can be offered to the family at www.talbottfuneral home.com
The Talbott Funeral Home in Belington is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Lela Mae Payne Hillyard.