Norma Jean Payne Holcomb; 90
Ms. Norma Jean Payne Holcomb, age 90, passed away on November 21, 2025, in Matthews, NC. Norma Jean was born in Jolo West Virginia and was preceded in death by her father and mother Roy and Angeline Payne. Norma Jean spent her early years in the hills and mountains of southern West Virginia where she graduated from Ieager High School,
Norma met and married Willie Ray Payne after his discharge from the US Army, and they moved to Northern Virginia to raise a family. Norma and Willie had two children, Robin Lynn and William (Bill) Payne. Norma was known as the “neighborhood mom” as she always hosted numerous neighborhood kids in the various adventures of the day. Norma Jean loved animals and had several dogs and numerous cats. She and Willie Ray were married only 17 years before his sudden death in 1977. She remained in the northern Virginia area until 1992 when she moved to North Carolina. When Norma Jean was a young lady of 70 she met and married William Henry “Bill” Holcomb. She and Bill spent 18 years living in the Winston Salem area before his death in 2023.
She was an avid lover of Bluegrass Country Music, home decorating and she was an avid Christian.
Norma is survived by her children Robin Smithberger of Matthews and her husband Jeff, Bill Payne of Wallburg, NC and his wife Tamara; three grandchildren, Andrew Christian of Matthews, NC and Robert Christian of Ashburn, VA and Holly Payne of Wallburg, NC; her step-grandchildren, Jessica Gunzinger of Austin, TX and Dr. Leanna Smithberger of Tampa, FL. Her sisters Nadine Farris and husband Gordon and Rainell Reed, her brother Thurmon Payne and wife Lona. She was preceded in death by her brothers Jarvis Payne, Swanson Payne, Jerry Payne, Roy Payne and Kanawha Payne.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 11 am, at the Bradshaw Mountain Community Church, 16950 Marshall Highway in Paynesville, WV. Interment will follow at the Toms Sparks Family Cemetery in Paynesville, WV. A memorial and celebration of life will also be scheduled for a later date in North Carolina.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers that you consider donations to the Macular Degeneration Research Association or the Arthritis Foundation.