Laura Ann Payne ran into the arms of Jesus on the morning of October 4, 2021 in Mansfield, Texas, due to complications of COVID-19. Laura came into this world on October 3, 1988 in Duncanville, Texas, and we were all immediately smitten. She had curly brown hair, and was affectionately known as La La Ann. If we had only known then what an amazing person she would become.

Laura had a magnetic personality that just drew people in. Her smile lit up a room, and she had one of those laughs that made you laugh too. She was quick to love and slow to anger. She was a great friend, a ride or die kind of friend. Anytime someone came up with a hairbrained idea she was onboard. Laura was also always one to say, "If you need anything let me know," and she always delivered when asked.

Laura was an avid soccer player, and her fearless attitude made her an excellent goalkeeper.She played soccer all thru childhood, playing with the clubs Lightening, and Legend. She then played for Mansfield High School and McMurry University. This is how she met many of her lifelong friends.

Among Laura's hobbies were shopping, movies, and reading. She loved all things Disney and was a great lover of Elvis. This love started young, when she would watch Elvis movies as a toddler. Laura loved working with kids, she used to babysit and teach swimming lessons in the summer with her aunt's swim school. Among her many great loves was Jesus. Laura was active in youth group as a teenager, and went on a few mission trips, where she learned to spread the love of Christ by helping others.

Laura loved being surrounded by and spending time with her family. Her greatest joy in life was being a mother to her daughter and stepsons. She was a devoted wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, and friend. There will forever be a missing place in our lives where she should be, but we know she will forever live on in our hearts. Laura is preceded in death by her grandfather, Herbert Lloyd "Buddy" McElroy.

She is survived by husband, Daniel Payne; daughter, Fiona Payne; stepsons, Zack & Alex Payne; mother, Kim McElroy; brother, Mack McElroy; nieces, Madison Slane, Cynthia & Natalie McElroy, grandmother, Juanita McElroy, mother & father-in-law, Tammy & Jim Hollaway, sister-in-law, Samantha Payne; niece, Emsley Wallace; grandparents-in-law, Donna & Cass Carmona; and many other aunts, cousins, and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 16th, at First United Methodist Church of Mansfield, 777 North Walnut Creek Dr., Mansfield, TX.