Sharon went to her heavenly home August 17, 2021, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born on February 26, 1938, in Springfield, Missouri to Loretta Pauline and Walter Patton Cotton. Sharon united in marriage with Bill Payne on March 8, 1959. She graduated from Central High School, Springfield in 1956, and the Burge School of Nursing in 1959.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband of sixty-two years, her sister Maria Maxwell and her husband Richard, and the families of four wonderful children; Joe and Krista, Paula and Charles, Pam and Jim, and Jeff and Whitney, as well as eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her parents and her stepfather Ralph Benton Sidebottom precede her in death.

A private family service was held under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home and can be viewed here .

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Missions program at Second Baptist Church, 3111 E. Battlefield, Springfield, Missouri 65804, or Alzheimer's Association, 3645 South Ave., Springfield, MO 65807, or to the donor's charity of choice.