Bernice Opal Payer

Bernice Opal Payer, 91, widow of Ernest Dewey Payer, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at her home. Mrs. Payer was born December 7, 1922, in Casscoe to Hugh Cooper McGaughey and Minta Mae Appleby Mitchell. She was a homemaker and member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Payer was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and loved working in her vegetable garden. Survivors are two daughters, Erna Louise Kirkemier and husband Rodger of Casscoe and Betty Carol Oliver and husband Gary of Stuttgart; three grandchildren, Carol Nock of Hot Springs, Natalie Oliver Woods and husband Lee of Little Rock and Dr. Gretchen Oliver of Auburn, Alabama; and four great-grandchildren, Spencer Nock, Cameron Nock and Jaxen Nock of Stuttgart and Mary Oliver Woods of Little Rock. Funeral services, officiated by Bro. Jeff Temple, are 2 p.m. Thursday at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 254 Cooks Lake Road in Casscoe, with burial following in Marsh Cemetery by Turpin Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Thursday in the fellowship hall of the church. Her family requests memorials be made to New Salem Missionary Baptist Church's Library Fund. Please go to www.turpinco.com to sign the online guestbook.