Bonnie Jean Payne

God Fearing, Bonnie Payne was born on March 13, 1948, to the late Cora Alice (Payne) Skillom and her biological father, the late Rudolph Carter. A devoted woman of faith, Bonnie walked peacefully through the gates of Heaven on January 13, 2026.

Bonnie’s mother, Cora Alice, married the late James E. Skillom—whom Bonnie lovingly embraced as her own father. As the eldest of eight children, Bonnie became the heart and guiding force of her family. Life required her to grow up quickly; she lost James at the age of 12 in 1960 and her mother at just 16 in 1964. From that moment forward, she stepped into a role far beyond her years, helping her aunt, Annie Mae Payne, raise her younger siblings.

Rooted deeply in faith, Bonnie was baptized at Greater Fellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. K.Z. Smith Sr. Her spiritual foundation shaped the way she loved, worked, and cared for everyone around her.

Bonnie was short in stature—often needing a stool to reach the stove—but mighty in presence. Her eldest nephew, Terry Omar Payne-Jackson, affectionately nicknamed her “Shault Shault.” In the kitchen, she was nothing short of legendary. When Bonnie hosted a cookout, the feast seemed endless: greens, green beans, cabbage, yams, macaroni and cheese, dressing, potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad, spaghetti, ribs, chicken, roast, neckbones, ham, turkey, barbecue pig tails, ears, and feet, chitlins, peach cobbler, banana pudding—and still countless dishes left to name. Cooking wasn’t just her gift; it was her love language.

In 1967, Bonnie welcomed her only child, the late Carliss Payne, whom she lovingly called “Sugar Bear.” Their bond was unbreakable—each would do anything for the other. Beyond caring for her siblings and her son, Bonnie also served as a nurse for Cincinnati Public Schools. She retired early due to health concerns but continued to work part-time, including at the 580 Building on the Secret Service floor.

Her heart for family extended even further. Bonnie helped her sister Cora and brother-in-law, the late “Sam” raise their nephews, Tally and Tyrone, after the passing of their mother, Mary Ann Skillom. She later played a major role in raising her first grandchild, Levonne Bolton, and welcomed her granddaughter Nyja Ferguson with equal love and pride.

In 1994, Carliss was 27 and decided to move out of their home. A year later, Bonnie relocated from their apartment on Alvin Street in Mt. Auburn to Pleasant Ridge. Within five months, Carliss moved across the walkway from her—proof that their bond remained as strong as ever. In 1999, he moved to Colerain Township, and seven years later Bonnie followed, keeping their connection close.

Bonnie was wise with money and believed in saving for what she wanted. Because her career with the City of Cincinnati was tied to a public retirement plan rather than Social Security, she returned to full-time work later in life to ensure her financial    security. She joined the United States Playing Card Company, where she retired for a second time—again because of her health. She often joked that she could “count cards faster than a casino dealer.”

In 2016, Bonnie suffered a stroke that paralyzed the right side of her body. She became a long-term resident of Clovernook Nursing Home, where her strength, humor, and unmistakable light touched everyone around her. She quickly became the joy of the floor, loved deeply by both staff and residents.

Many said she had memory loss—but with Bonnie, it was really just selective memory. She remembered exactly what she wanted to remember. And if you asked her how to make her famous banana pudding, collard greens, or peach cobbler, she could tell you the recipes step-by-step without missing a beat.

On November 21, 2026, Bonnie faced the devastating loss of her beloved son, Carliss. When she learned of his passing, she said with profound faith, “God came and took my baby, but He needed him more, and I am okay with that.”

Their dates became a testimony of their closeness: Bonnie was born March 13th, she buried her son on December 13th, and she herself passed on January 13th at midnight.

Bonnie meant the world to so many. If you met her, you couldn’t help but love her. Her radiant smile, sharp sense of humor, unwavering ambition, courage, generosity, and steadfast faith in God will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her.

Preceded Bonnie in death her; parents, Cora Alice (Payne) Skillom and James E. Skillom; her father, Rudolph Carter; aunts just to name a few, Inell Gibson (Joe) and Annie Mae Payne; bonus grandson, Robert Carr; sister, Mary Ann Skillom; brothers, Eddie Payne and Daniel Skillom; nephew and Nieces, Orgetorix Jackson, Brittany Jackson and Kierra Jackson; and god daughter, Anita Rosewood.

Bonnie leaves to mourn her; grandchildren, Levonne Bolton of Los Angelos California and Nyja Fergurson; bonus grandchildren, Mark Bolton, Imani Kitchen, Akeem Kitchen and Breuhana Bolton; bonus great-grandchildren, London Howard, Lorenzo Howard and Xyleek Colbert; sisters, Cora Payne-Jackson (the late Willie C. Jackson); sister-n-law, Marilyn Payne; brothers, James Payne (late Ida Payne), Joseph Payne and Charles Skillom (Earlene Newton); nieces and nephews, Tally Skillom, Tyrone Lyles, Terry Payne-Jackson (Janeen), Brandi Goodwin, Darnell Smith Sr., Keisha Collins, Latoshia Venison, Charles Newton (Brittany), Means Cameron, Tierra Cameron, Derris Cameron, Demetrice Payne, Edward Payne, Eddie Payne Jr., Joseph Payne Sr., Kyron Payne Sr.; best friends, Yvonne (McKinnes) Williams and Bobbie Jean Booth; families, Melvin Tucker & Family, Goodwin’s, Engram’s, Neely’s, Easley’s, Frierson’s, Carter’s, Baker’s, Jackson’s, Booth’s, Rosewood’s, Foster’s, Newton’s and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

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