Alice (McCall) Payne

DALLASTOWN – Mrs. Alice McCall Payne, 79, entered into rest on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at her home. She was the loving wife of the late Dr. William H. Payne, with whom she celebrated 52 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2023.

Alice was born February 9, 1947, in Paulsboro, NJ, the daughter of the late Helen (Baker) and Samuel W. McCall. In addition to her parents Alice is preceded in death by a sister, Marianne; and two brothers John (Jack) and James (Jimmy) McCall. She is survived by a brother Joseph McCall and his wife Donna; a niece, Kathie McCall of Stuart, FL; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was a 1965 graduate of Paulsboro High School, a 1969 graduate of Rowan University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and later earned a master’s degree in education from Pennsylvania State University. After an 8-year career as an educator, Alice chose to commit her talent entirely to the raising of her 3 children, cherished time for which they are forever grateful.

Alice lived a life of selfless service to make life better for her husband, her children, her grandchildren and all those that passed through their lives. She loved her family with gladness and joy through excellence in cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing, and crafting of all sorts. In conversation and composition, she was a master of the English language with an expansive vocabulary and prodigious usage of idiomatic expressions gleaned from her father. She was a connoisseur of classical music of all styles, a flautist, and a pianist who could be found most at peace at the keyboard of her Steinway.

Alongside her husband, her most precious moments were spent as the passionate fan of her children and grandchildren in their academic, athletic, and personal pursuits; rejoicing in the successes of those she loved. Dr. and Mrs. Payne together leave behind a rich legacy of abundant fruitfulness through two daughters, a son and 16 grandchildren; Sarah P. and husband Andrew Smith of Arnold, MD and children Ava M. and Leyton W.; Emily P. and husband David Robertson of Landisburg, PA and children Juliana G., Josie L., Evelyn F., Faith S., and Audrey H.; Eric W. and wife Julianne Payne of Dallastown and children Reagan W., Jackson S., Calvin D., Annemarie K., Lincoln A., Grant W., Theodore J., William J., and Hannahmaye J.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, June 1, 2026 at her Church, Christ Lutheran Church (126 W. Main Street) in Dallastown with the Pastor Patti Bream officiating. A visitation will precede the service from 9 - 10:30 A.M. Following the service will be burial at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens and a meal at Church of the Open Door in East York. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to many friends and caregivers for their prayers, love, and support in recent years.