Phyllis Genet Payne was born October 6, 1949 in Harrison, AR and passed away peacefully on July 23, 2024 in St. Louis, MO. Phyllis graduated from Fredericktown High School and Southeast Missouri State University and was an elementary school teacher for 35 years in the Fox School District. Phyllis was the loving wife of Hank Freund for 53 years, mother of Jeremy Freund, mother-in-law to Julie Spivey Freund, sister to Deanie Payne Lavrrar and Nancy Payne Gunning and brother-in-law to Mike Gunning and Guy Lavrrar. She was a loving and devoted grandma (Nena) to Ava and Mason Freund. She was an aunt to Grant and Garrett Gunning and cousin, niece and friend to many. She was preceded in death by her parents Verdon & Ila Dean Payne. Phyllis did a lot of volunteer work and was a loving and caring soul and brought joy into the lives she touched, she will be greatly missed. Rest in peace our dear Phyllis, we will remember and love you forever. A celebration of life will be planned for a later date. The family requests that any donations be made to Feed My People food pantry in Phyllis’s memory.
Mu sympathy to the family of Phyllis. She was a dear soul and devoted teacher in my school building. We will miss her at our monthly retired teacher group.
Thanks for those kind words about Phyl, she was very fond of her teacher friends.
Hank
I taught at Sherwood School with Phyllis. She was a kind, soft-spoken, loving teacher. She guided so many fifth graders to good choices. She will be remembered by many.
Thanks for those kind words about Phyl, she was very fond of her teacher friends.
Hank
Reply
Rest in peace dear Cousin,
Your sweet reward is yours now. We will miss you yet have such fond memories of you during your brief time here on earth. It is so hard to let go but knowing you are in a much better place provides much comfort. Till we meet again in heaven, know your time here on earth was a life well lived. May God comfort all those whose lives you touched!!!
Joe,
Thanks for all those kind words about Phyllis. Phyl was the love of my life, and I miss her terribly. But you are correct, Phyl is in heaven waiting for us resting in God’s arms.
Hank
Deanie was a good friend in high school which lead me to visit with Phyllis frequently. Many prayers to her family and friends. Beautiful lady who will be missed.
I ditto everthing Joe Graddy said. Phyllis was one of the 3 Payne girl cousins and when they would visit they all were very classy and always put together. Always made an impression on me. Very sweet too!
Rest in peace dear cousin. Love and prayers to Hank, Jeremy & family and to Deanie & Nancy & family
Brenda,
Thanks for all those kind words about Phyllis. Phyl was the love of my life, and I miss her terribly. But you are correct, Phyl is in heaven waiting for us resting in God’s arms.
Hank
Phyllis was my Grandma, and a very loving one at that. It’s very wonderful to see her being remembered and prayed for by all these people. The article about her is only listing the many great things my grandmother did. She was amazing and bought my brother and I candy when we saw her. She really was a selfless woman and should always live on in our memories!
Phyllis and her husband Hank were friends and fellow Friday volunteers at Feed My People in South St.Louis County. Phyllis was a beautiful soul whose warmth made everyone feel comfortable around her. She is missed by all.
Hank, it’s been a very long time but I certainly want to offer my condolences on Phyllis’s passing to you, Jeremy and your family. I don’t recall meeting Phyllis but that was certainly my loss; she must have been a wonderful person having been married to you. Peace and grace, old friend.
Jay,
Thanks for your kind comments. It has been a long time since we’ve seen ech other. Too bad you never got to meet Phyllis, she beautiful inside as she was outside.
Our deepest sympathy to my cousin
Hank. I remember your wedding as if it was
Yesterday. Even though we didn’t see each other very often, there are fond memories of the family reunions at Spring Forest.
Phyllis was always a lady and very interested
In everyone she spoke to. Our condolences
To Jeremy and the entire Freund family.
Love you cousin, Jane and Ed Koeller
I know that Phyllis and Karen W will make sure heaven’s classroom will be in order. Many years of life dedicated to teaching have had a positive impact on many lives. May all those cherished memories live with her family.