Louise Edith Payne
March 1, 1924 ~ May 22, 2022
Louise Edith (Farrell) Payne, 98, of Compton, MD, passed away on May 22, 2022, in Leonardtown, MD. Born on March 1, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Edith Mabel (Bussler) Farrell and the late William Joseph Farrell, Sr. Louise was the loving wife of the late Joseph J. Payne, Jr., whom she married on May 2, 1948, in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Compton, MD, and who preceded her in death on January 23, 2014. She is survived by her siblings Mary Helen Farrell and Arthur Farrell, as well as many nieces and nephews. Louise was preceded in death by her siblings Bernard Farrell, Leonard “Tink” Farrell, William “Bill” Farrell, Jr., Hattie Farrell Ryce, and her twin sister, Alice (Farrell) Rice.
Louise was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident, and graduated from Margaret Brent High School on May 30, 1942. She worked on the family farm growing up. The family moved from Morganza, MD to their farm in Compton, MD in 1941. In high school, she and Alice (her twin sister) were very active in sports and were part of the 1941 Margaret Brent High School Softball Team that won the Maryland State Championship. After high school, Louise worked at the Ben Franklin Store in Leonardtown, MD for over 35 years, retiring in 1981.
Louise was a lifelong and active parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She provided support for many parish activities, including making the seasonings and stuffing hams for the bazaars, cleaning the church, rectory, and hall, and supported the church, priests, and staff in many ways. Her stuffed ham won awards at the County Fair. Louise and her husband were also avid gardeners and were known for their quality vegetables they grew, canned, and shared with family and friends each year.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 27, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM with Father Ryan Pineda officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Jay Farrell, Gary Farrell, Ronnie Farrell, Dale Farrell, Steve Raley, and Billy Rice. Honorary pallbearers will be George Payne and Robert Burch.
Contrubutions may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (Newtowne Manor House Restoration), 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.





So sorry to hear of Louise passing. She was a good friend of our parents, Alice and Shorty. I have know her all my life. She was a grand lady. Loved to talk with her at Ben Franklin 5 & 10 store. Later on we enjoyed Yoga classes with Lynn Burton for many years. Good times for all. Prayers for the family. Patty (White)
We are so sorry to hear of Louise’s passing. What a beautiful lady with such a wonderful family. God Bless her and the entire family. Bruce and I are unable to attend the service, but will be there in thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Payne passing away. She & my mom (Janice Lawrence Combs) worked together at the Ben Franklin store in Leonardtown. May she Rest in Peace.
So sorry to hear of Louise passing.
Louise and my mom, Madge Thomason Ebner, were good friends for a very long time. Living far apart from each other they would correspond with Teeny’s and my help. They would get together once in a while in their later years. I was always thrilled to hear of their Margaret Brent days. Louise, with a special sparkle in her eyes, would proudly tell about how she and Alice would trick the teachers and even potential boy friends by pretending to be each other! Rest in peace, Louise. You were a very special lady.
So sorry for your loss Louise was a fabulous person and will be missed by all.
My sincere condolences to the Payne, Bussler, and Farrell families. Louise was a wonderful lady.
I first met her in my early youth sharing times with my friend Ronnie Farrell and visits to the Ben Franklin 5 & 10 store. She later trained me on the cash registers when I worked there in my teen years of employment. She knew almost everyone who frequented that “go to establishment” before the Rt 5 bypass and Walmart changed our small merchant’s county. She was dedicated to her parish of St. Francis Xavier and it was always an added blessing to see her there when I attended Mass or an event at the parish hall over the years since working together. I would be remiss if I didn’t say a final “Thank You” to Miss Louise for her guidance and great example of caring she gave with each customer whom passed through her checkout line.