Obituary of Clementine Virginia Payne

Clementine Virginia Jenkins was born April 25, 1941 in Washington, DC to Clementine Ruffin and Frederick Jenkins. She grew up and received her formal education in DC public schools alongside her 6 siblings: Marcus Jenkins, Frederick Jenkins, William Jenkins, Madelyn Mason, Helen Mason, and Howard King. She obtained her high school diploma, graduating from Dunbar High School. Following high school, she began to build her family:  Christel Charis Payne (1961), Christopher Cortez Payne (1963), Jonathan Daniel Payne (1968), Jennifer Desiree Payne (1970), Charity Payne (1990) and Michael Parks (bonus son).
In the early stages of her children's upbringing, she became very involved with church and community work. She often donated to the St. Jude's Association, Miraculous Medal, and Catholic Charities.

She found very fulfilling work as a probation officer for some time. She became involved in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as a Cub Scout and Den leader. As her kids grew up, her passion of building community progressed. She began to volunteer at Assumption Catholic Church within the choir, community outreach and as a teen club leader. She started the Assumption Community Outreach Center. The center offered several resources to the community including clothing and food. Seeing the fulfillment, it gave to their mom, her children began to volunteer as well. She volunteered at the Red Cross for over 20 years and remained on call to serve when needed. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served at the voting polls for many years, ultimately leading a team during each serving term. Even in her own community, she always had an open door to youth. She was a woman of God, that raised her children on the word of God. Her involvement in the church and spiritual walk overflowed into her children’s lives.

Clementine's love for education led to her studies and bachelor's degree in Theology and Women's Studies at Trinity University in Washington, DC. She also studied Anthropology at the University of the District of Columbia. She was a substitute teacher throughout DC public schools.  She also obtained a certification as a Nurse’s Assistant, and licensure as a Practical Nurse. She worked for a period of time at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital. Through her involvement in the community and studies, she continued raising her kids.

She was a very stylish, creative, and visionary artist. She took many creative arts courses including pottery, leathering, painting and often taking her kids and later her grandkids along. She often designed costumes for Northeast Performing Arts, Melvin Deal’s African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, and Ms. Alexander’s Community Dance Group.  She offered art classes during their summer dance programs. She was a devout and famed parent that accompanied the groups to all the competitions, group talent showcases, and community events, including the Oxendine Music and Dance Academy.

In the early 2000s, she began working at the customer service desk at the DC Superior Court, answering phones and offering customer support to court visitors. She developed and maintained many professional relationships with her colleagues and enjoyed her job. In early 2015, she retired and devoted the last 7 years of her life to spending time with family. She loved getting together for family gatherings. She is survived by her mother Clementine Ruffin, three siblings Madelyn Pierce, Helen Gordon (Charlie), and Howard King (Virnae), her children Christel Payne, Christopher Payne (Yvette), Jonathan Payne (Nolene), Jennifer Daniels (Samuel, deceased), Charity Payne, grandkids Chrishona Payne, Chajuana Payne, Brenice Pickett, Tania Hicks, Amir Payne, Khalil Payne, Joanna Payne, Tyla Payne, Jonathan Payne Jr., Caleb Koopman, Marcus Payne, Caitlin Koopman, Kina Mar, George Garvin, Samuel Daniels Jr, Brian Daniels, Ricky Daniels, Kwame Payne, Hassain Smart, Khalil Pixley and 25 great.