Charlotte Payne Obituary

Charlotte Dodd Payne

July 14, 1940 - March 1, 2026

Charlotte, North Carolina - Charlotte Dodd Payne of Charlotte, NC passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer. She was 85. She was born on July 14, 1940, in Roanoke Rapids, NC, the daughter of James Homer Dodd and Nan Lee Broome Dodd. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by first husband, Calvin Brooks Gibson; second husband Ronald Lee Payne; brother William Ray Dodd and sister Margaret Lee Dodd. She is survived by her son William Edward Gibson; niece Lynn Dodd Hill; sister-in-law Lois Smith and her daughter Carla Smith.

Charlotte moved to Belmont, NC as a toddler and grew into a fine girl and beautiful young woman. After Belmont High School, she graduated from Montreat Anderson Junior College in Montreat, NC and then attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill. SC on a voice scholarship. She was accepted to the Julliard School in New York, but because of family health obligations, was unable to continue. At Montreat, she flourished in the church choir and the Montreat Singers, possessing a wonderful mezzo-soprano voice. For four summer seasons, Charlotte sang for the Montreat Conference Center, where she first met Reverend Billy Graham and wife Ruth. After singing at a bible conference one summer, she fondly remembered Rev. Graham's kind words to her after her performance. She always said she felt a little closer to God just looking into his eyes. For the next twenty years, she would enjoy singing in church choirs, choral organizations and on various special occasions. She maintained a lifelong joy in singing, classical music, and opera.

In 1962, Charlotte married first husband, Calvin, a native Charlottean. The young couple spent the next few years in Atlanta, GA and Roanoke, VA, where Calvin was an educational book salesman. In 1966, motherhood became a full-time job when son William Edward, who she called Eddie for the rest of her life, was born in Roanoke. In 1974, Charlotte and family moved to Charlotte, where she would live for the rest of her life. During the next few years, she began a career as a real estate agent with Quesnoy and Company Realty. After divorcing Calvin in 1979, Charlotte met future husband Ron through mutual friends Bill and Claire Allan in the early 1980s.

On Valentine's Day 1983, Charlotte and Ron were married in a ceremony at the Duke Mansion, home of longtime friends, the Allens. From that day until Bill's death, they enjoyed regular visits and had the grandest of times at the numerous and sometimes legendary parties at the mansion.

Ron owned the Crystal Shoppe in Indian Trail, NC for many years and during the next thirteen years, Charlotte would spend much time at the store working in the business office, helping with the books, and advertising. After Ron sold the Crystal Shoppe in 1996, he and Charlotte began travel to many countries over the years, including South Africa, New Zealand, China, Thailand, Russia, and most European countries. On their 27th wedding anniversary, they took a memorable cruise on the Queen Victoria in the Baltic Sea. Some of Charlotte's favorite trips, however, were closer to home, including Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii. They also enjoyed over thirty annual trips to Las Vegas for the gift show conventions. Charlotte just loved the hustle and bustle of Vegas, especially the food, shows and her favorite game – video poker. When Harrah's Casino opened in Cherokee, NC, she was one of the first visitors and would enjoy three days trips year after year. She must have hit over thirty royal flushes on the poker machines between Vegas and Cherokee in her lifetime, hootin' and hollerin' each time!

Politically conservative, Charlotte knew and generously supported many local and national candidates. Republicans running for office knew they had a friend in Charlotte. Charlotte also generously donated to many charities too numerous to list. One special interest was Wingate University where she and Ron made generous contributions to the new vocal hall, which bears their name. She always thought charitable giving, no matter the amount. It was just the right thing to do.

Charlotte had a love for singing, classical music and opera from childhood until the end of her life. From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Charlotte befriended Claire Simmons (Allan), who became her voice teacher and was a famous opera diva in her past. For the next forty plus years beginning in 1980, Charlotte would be an enthusiastic Opera Carolina patron and supporter, serving on the Board of Directors of Opera Carolina. She was a founding member of the Verdi Society of Opera Carolina, as well as a life member of both Opera Carolina and the Opera Guild of Charlotte, where she served as president in 2001 and 2005. Many of Charlotte's closest friends were also Opera Carolina and Guild members. She treasured their friendship and love and will miss them greatly. Charlotte was especially proud to be a member of the committee that hired James Meena as director and principal conductor of Opera Carolina in 2000. She considered Jim Meena to be the finest director and conductor in the history of Opera Carolina and was honored to call him a dear friend for the rest of her life.

In early 2016, Eddie moved back to Charlotte to help his mother care for his ailing stepfather Ron until his death in October of 2016. From 2017 until 2021, Charlotte and Eddie would enjoy a final trip to Montreal for opera performances conducted by James Meena and many trips to Harrah's Casino in Cherokee, NC.

From 2021 to the end of her life, Charlotte preserved through the inevitable aging declines that we all will meet one day with admirable grace, courage, and acceptance. A sharp wit and mind until the end were a blessing from God that she was so thankful for in her prayers. Charlotte was also thankful for the love and support of Lois and Carla, always looking forward to getting togethers at the house and holiday brunches at the Providence Country Club and Lynn for her kindness over the years, especially Lynn's love and care for her Aunt Margaret. Charlotte was eternally grateful to Eddie and his unwavering love for nearly sixty years and especially his consistent loving care for the final ten years of her life. Charlotte will miss terribly the love and laughter of her best friend, Jenny Lee, and the wonderful times they spent together. Charlotte was so thankful for Michelle Miller's love and care for her sister, Margaret, and Anna Nixon's visits to the house for loving companionship and wonderful Greek food and Fran's and Maggie's love and housekeeping over many years and longtime, dear neighbor Dorothy Connor's love and calls and flowers and visits and food and flowers!

It was Charlotte's final wish that these dear friends, family and countless other friends' last image and memory was not of her dying in a hospital bed but of her beautiful smile, loving voice, and warm embrace.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the nurses and doctors of the Harris Hospice in Presbyterian Hospital for their loving care.

A memorial service will be held at McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel located at 10500 Park Road in Charlotte on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 2pm. The family will greet friends starting at 12:30 until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Charlotte Lyric Theatre, Wingate University School of Music, and Samaritan's Purse.

A wonderful woman and mother and beautiful child of God has gone home to her Savior, free of all earthly worry and pain. She is young and beautiful once again. Her eternal and joyous life in Heaven has begun.

God bless you, Mom. I will love you always and forever.

Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.