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Obituary Marionette M Payne was born July 16, 1940 in Bryn Mawr PA. She was the 3rd of 4 children born to the late Jeanette and Thomas Gossette. Although she was born and briefly lived in Bryn Mawr, she was a long time resident of Ardmore PA. Marionette grew up in Ardmore, and was educated in the Lower Merion School District. After graduating from Lower Merion High School, she began working for Strawbridges and Clothier department stores. Marionette married Eugene Payne and from that union they had 3 daughters, Dietra, Amelia and LaTrice. ¶ In the face of discrimination, Marionette and Eugene purchased a home at 104 E. Athens Avenue, making them the first black family to own a home in that section of Ardmore. That home was Marionette’s pride and joy, and she resided there for over 50 years. Marionette worked for many years for Merrit Oil, while raising her 3 daughters, mostly as a single mom. Marionette enjoyed listening to music, gardening, cooking, decorating her home and talking on the phone with her long time friend Virginia “Ginny” Turner. Marionette was a member of Second Baptist Church in Wayne, PA where she sang 2nd soprano with the Inspirational Chorus. Marionette, along with her sister Carrie and other choir members became members of the Red Hatter social club, which was founded in 1998 for women celebrating all stages of life. Marionette was a co-leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout troop, and was a host mother for the A Better Chance Program. Marionette Payne was 84 years old when she passed away quietly in her sleep on September 13, 2024. She was a resident at Gwynedd Healthcare in Lansdale Pa. where she was well liked. She was preceded in death by her parents Jeanette and Thomas Gosette and her brothers and their wives Julius (Sonny) and Arnetha Gossette and Thomas (Tommy) and Janet Gossette. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Dietra and Randy Tibbs, Amelia and Daniel Davis and LaTrice and Sean Cust. Her six grandchildren, Camille and husband Jonathan Williams, Christopher and Nicholas Tibbs, Olivia and Victoria James and Taylor Cust. She was blessed to know her Step great- grand grandson Jonathan Jr. and her three great-grandchildren Gabriel, Dylan and Maddison, who brought her much joy and laughter. She is also survived by her only sister Carrie Williams and her husband Harry. Marionette and Carrie had a special sisterly bond that they continued to nurture while residing at Gwynedd Healthcare, where they were almost inseparable, spending many hours together. She is also survived by her many nieces, nephews and friends which she loved and talked about frequently.

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Marionette G. Payne

July 16, 1940 - September 13, 2024