Frances Payne Baronette

Frances Gunn Payne Baronette died peacefully in Shreveport on March 20, 2015 at the age of 84 following a fourteen year journey with Alzheimers. Frances is survived by her devoted and faithful husband, L.J. Baronette; four daughters, Linda Payne Spain and husband John of New Roads, Marilyn Payne Davis and husband Paul, Patti Payne, Helen Payne Palmer and husband Rusty, all of Shreveport. In addition she leaves behind two siblings, Alma "Toots" Millican, and Kenneth Gunn. Also surviving are step-children, Doug Baronette and wife Karen, Randall Baronette and wife Kristi, and Ronda Baronette Garrett and husband Geoffrey. Frances was Grandma to ten grandchildren, John Spain II, Bill DeBeaux, Amanda Wells, Laura Weego, Rachel Stoddart, Caroline Stoddart, Madeline Stoddart, Payne Stoddart, Grace Palmer and Hunt Palmer. She was great-grandma to Payne and Abby Weego, Buddy and Anna DeBeaux, Taylor and Jilian Ellis, Adelaide, Eleanor, and Owen Wells. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert William "Bill" Payne; her parents, Alma and James Gunn; and her brothers, James Gunn, Norman Allen Gunn; and her sister, Mildred Cother. Frances will be remembered as being a woman of strong faith and courage. She never met a challenge she didn't face head-on. She earned her pilots license, her real estate license, learned to scuba dive, owned her own business, and assisted in managing the Payne family business, The Payne Company. At the same time, she reared four daughters and supported all of their endeavors. Following a private burial, a memorial service celebrating Frances\' life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2015 at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 5850 Buncombe Road with a reception to follow. Officiating will be Dr. Chad Hardbarger and Rev. Keith Payne. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Baton Rouge Area Foundation, 402 North Fourth St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (BRAF.org) or to the charity of choice. The family would like to thank the staff of The Oaks of Louisiana and Montclair Park Memory Care for their care during her final years.