OPELOUSAS - Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, LA for Mrs. Bertha T. Payne, 80, who entered eternal rest on Monday, July 19, 2021 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Opelousas, LA. Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Park in the Bellevue Community.

Father Lambert Lein will be officiating the funeral mass.

Mrs. Payne leaves to cherish her memories: three sons, Antoine (Connie) Joseph Payne, Jr. of Leonville, LA, Irvin (LaQuesha) Payne and Anthony Payne, both of Opelousas, LA; two daughters, Mary Payne and Patricia Payne, both of Opelousas, LA; two brothers, Anderson Thomas of Houston, TX and Alton (Mary) Thomas, Sr. of Patterson, LA; three sisters, Beulah Joseph (Larry), Mary Lou Hunt (Wilton) and Clara Belle Joseph, all of Opelousas, LA; two brothers-in-law, John Payne of Opelousas, LA and Milton Auzenne of Leonville, LA; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Gloria Thomas, Anna Lee Davis and Carolyn W. Thomas-Sibley, all of Opelousas, LA and Carolyn Spikes of Lake Charles, LA; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by: her husband, Antoine Payne, Sr.; her parents, Joseph and Melina Thomas, Sr.; an infant child, Barbara Payne; three brothers, Vincent Thomas, Sr., Joseph Thomas, Jr. and Herman Thomas, Sr.; one sister, Gustavia Thomas Auzenne; and three sisters-in-law, Gloria Jean Payne, Ophelia Augustine and Lozelle Thomas.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Holy Ghost Catholic Church.

** Please be advised we will adhere to the safety measures and precautions provided by the state of Louisiana due to COVID-19. Masks are required for those who will be in attendance. **

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to: Opelousas General Health System’s 4th Floor Medical Staff; Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care; Dr. Latonya Kelly; Dr. Mark Andrew Sicard, Staff of the Opelousas General Health Wound Care, Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Flushville Family, Evangeline Downs and Shining Star Lodge #262.

Words of condolences may be expressed at fordandjosephfh.com

Ford and Joseph Funeral Home, 907 N. Market St., Opelousas, LA, (337) 942-6750, is in charge of arrangements.