Jill Kelley Payne
Jill Kelley Payne passed away on August 9, 2024.
She was born on April 11, 1957, to Jack and Dee Kelley, formerly of East Brainerd, who preceded her in death.
Jill was a graduate of Tyner High School Class of 1974 and went on to study court reporting and general business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She spent most of her adult life as a homemaker and mother to her two children, Nevelyn Noblit Trumpeter (Kevin) and Jack Noblit (Amber).
She was preceded in death by her younger sister, Keri Ermer, and is survived by two older sisters, Nedra Kelley and Janine Dawson (Frank). She is also survived by her special friend and partner, Michael Beck.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Will and Bela Trumpeter and Weston and Colby Noblit. As well, she is survived by several nephews and nieces, Dana Villar, Jada Arthur, Stacia Buttrey, John Dawson, Martha Coleman, Davis Ermer, Marc Ermer, Samatha Ermer, Eric and Adam Scott, Scott and Jason Noblit, and Gini Slatton, as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews.
Jill was a fun-loving and adventurous soul. She survived a very serious accident on January 1, 2004 and courageously dealt with the disabling consequences of that accident. But for the heroic efforts of her son Jack and her nephew Jason, she would not have survived a catastrophic fire. For the next 20 years, Jill was cared for by her dutiful children, Jack and Nevelyn, who made sure that she had everything she needed to make life comfortable.
The family will have a memorial service to remember and honor her life on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the home of her former sister-in-law, Suzanne Forlidas, at 11 Minnekahda Place in Riverview in Chattanooga at 11:30 a.m. to be followed by a luncheon for family and friends and others wishing to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate to a charity of your choice that will benefit those who live on.