Catherine (Payne) Giles

Catherine Payne Giles, 97, of Butler, Georgia, died Friday, October 12, 2018 in Butler, Georgia.  Graveside services will be held 3:00 pm., Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with visitation 30 minutes prior to the service.  Mrs. Giles was born on January 19, 1921, in Taylor County.  She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Payne.

Mrs. Giles graduated from Butler High School in 1937, and attended Georgia Alabama Business School in Macon, Georgia, where she graduated with a degree in business.  After finishing her business degree, she returned to Butler and began her business career working for her father as bookkeeper for Payne Motor Company.  Upon her father’s death, she and her brother, Hubert, assumed a partnership and continued the Ford dealership until it was sold in 1975.

One of the highlights of Mrs. Giles’ career was an invitation her father received through Western Union from Ford Motor Company for a meeting in Atlanta for over 400 Ford dealers.  It was an important meeting because Mr. Henry Ford, II, who was on leave from the Armed Forces, would be in attendance with his wife.  Mrs. Giles attended the meeting and sat next to Mrs. Ford and across the table from Mr. Ford.  After finishing her bookkeeping duties, she rebuilt distributors and fuel pumps for the dealership.  She was doing her part in helping the war effort in the United States.  She also received an award from Ford Motor Company Business Management Department in recognition of outstanding performance as a Ford Dealer Accountant in full accordance with the requirements of the award for 1964.  She had to meet the requirements of sending a timely and accurate report.

Mrs. Giles had a long career in the business world.  She worked for Payne Motor Company and Payne’s Gin and Warehouse, after he father died.  She also kept the business records for the Standard Oil Agency for her husband, Tom and her brother Hubert.  In later years, she continued as bookkeeper for the warehouse as it passed to her son, Nick Giles, then Jim Willis, and later her nephew, Willie Payne.  Mrs. Giles retired at the age of 91, while Willie owned the farm store.

Mrs. Giles was also treasurer for the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund for many years.  “Miss Catherine”, as she was known by her customers, friends, and farmers was always glad to help with a smile on her face whether she was selling Ford parts, feed, seed, fertilizer, or weighing cotton.

She was devoted to her mother and sister after her father died in 1951.  After the death of her mother, she looked after her sister, husband, and her two beloved brothers.  She found great joy in being able to help her family.  She loved her husband, son, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Mrs. Giles was an avid gardener who loved being outdoors planting and growing flowers, and mowing her grass.  She was a happy person with a great sense of humor.

Mrs. Giles was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Edwin Giles; her brothers, W.S. Payne and Hubert Payne; and her sister, Christine Payne.

Survivors include her son, Nick Giles and wife Kay; grandchildren, Lee Giles and wife Lindsey of St. Simons Island, Georgia and Lauren Lyons and her husband Ben of Bozeman, Montana; along with four great-grandchildren, Wynn Lyons, Thomas Giles, Kaylee Lyons and William Giles; niece, Nina Jarrell and nephews, Willie Payne and wife Nancy, Mike Giles and Johnny Giles.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bethel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 267 Americus Highway, Butler, Georgia 31006 or Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Home at www.georgiasheriffsyouth.org.

You may sign the online guest register at www.mcleightonfuneralservice.com

McLeighton Funeral Service of Butler is in charge of arrangements.

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