On March 3, 1932, Mary “Marian”  Steverson-Cunningham was born in Millington, Tennessee.  Her parents, Pastor Lee Andrew and Annabel Steverson, and thirteen siblings preceded her in death. Mary and her siblings spent much of their time attending church services.

At a very young age, Mary and her family moved to Mariana, Arkansas, where she attended public school. While still a young girl, Mary accepted Christ and was baptized under her father’s leadership. She also became a member of a singing group formed with her siblings. The ensemble wrote and performed songs throughout Arkansas and  nearby regions. In spite of her diminutive size, Mary was a very enthusiastic and vocal tenor while performing with the group.

When she was in her late teens, Mary left Arkansas and moved to Davenport, Iowa, to visit one of her sisters. During that fateful visit, she met Elmer Payne, whom she later married  and was blessed with six children, two of whom (Elmer Payne, Jr. and Elaine Payne) preceded her in death.  

After moving to Detroit, Michigan, Mary worked at various positions. She was an apparel sorter at a factory for several years. Later In her life, she was employed as a cook and cafeteria aide in a nursing home. She also spent some time working as a personal housekeeper. She was both versatile and knowledgeable in all of her occupations.

Mary had a very bold sense of humor and loved to joke and have fun. Among the many activities that she enjoyed, Bingo was one of her favorites, and she was especially adept at winning. After winning at Bingo, Mary would sometimes spend days fishing at various locations. On more than one occasion, she would catch fish that were so large that she would need assistance to land them.

Throughout her life, Mary always sought the Lord and He heard, and He answered. She was a member of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church where she sang in the choir. She moved her membership to New Starlight Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Charles Petty for fifty years. In her later years, Mary became a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church under the spiritual guidance of Pastor Debirley Porter, where she remained a faithful member until she made her transition.

After ninety-three years, Mary was called home to her eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her many memories: two daughters, Phyllis (Hayward) Harris and Denice Hardaway; two sons, Terry Payne and Yerret Payne; two sisters, Matt Linton and  Erma Harper; seven grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.