A Woman of Purpose and Faith: Remembering Rev. Twila Payne

Some lives don’t just touch the world — they leave it changed. Rev. Twila Laverne Hargrove Payne was one of those rare, radiant souls. Born on November 30, 1949, in Columbus, Mississippi, she arrived with purpose, promise, and a strength that would carry her through a life filled with both achievement and unwavering love.

She grew up wrapped in the warmth of her mother, Mary Evelyn Parks, and later in the steady, loving guidance of Taylor “Daddy TC” Jackson, the man she proudly claimed as her father. With her siblings Isaac, Daphne, and Kimberly, Twila learned early what it meant to love deeply, stand tall, and persevere.

In the early 1950s, her family made its way to Richmond Heights — a neighborhood built by and for Black veterans seeking hope and home. That community shaped her. Second Baptist became spiritual ground for her young heart, and the people who raised her believed in excellence, faith, and possibility. Twila carried those gifts her entire life.

She grew into a brilliant young woman who finished high school during the era of desegregation and boldly chose to leave Miami to attend Howard University, following the path of trailblazers before her. She earned her bachelor’s in Social Work, then continued on to receive her Juris Doctor from Howard Law — a testament to her determination and brilliance.

Guided by giants like Patricia Roberts Harris and Fannie Lou Hamer, Twila built a career that shattered ceilings. She interned at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, worked with Community Lawyers, Inc., and then made history as the first Black attorney at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. She didn’t just do the work — she did it with courage, grace, and a fierce commitment to justice.

Her journey led her from Miami to Atlanta and back again — into courtrooms, conference rooms, classrooms, and communities. Every step was intentional. Every role she served — attorney, advocate, mentor, public servant — was carried out with integrity and compassion.

Twila’s greatest joy came in the form of her family. She welcomed her daughter, Twila “Aisha” Blossom Jones, then later met the love of her life, Harold Raymond Payne. They married on June 30, 1990, and built a home overflowing with love, faith, and purpose. Together they raised two sons, Harold Payne II and Jeremiah Payne, completing the family she cherished above all else.

Even with a thriving legal career, Twila felt God pulling her closer. In 2001, she said “yes” to the call of ministry and became an ordained minister at Second Baptist Church. That “yes” became a legacy all its own. Through Christian Education, GROW Groups, church governance, holiday productions, community programs, and the birth of the SBC CDC, she poured into both young and old with a heart that never grew tired of serving.

Twila believed that ministry wasn’t just preached — it was lived. She met needs quietly. She guided gently. She taught boldly. She lifted others when they couldn’t lift themselves. Her life was a sermon of compassion.

In the early hours of November 15, 2025, at 3:00 a.m., Twila peacefully transitioned to her eternal home. Heaven gained a warrior of faith, a woman of unmatched brilliance, and a heart that had spent a lifetime loving others.

She leaves behind her devoted husband of 35 years; her daughter; her two sons; her daughters-in-law and son-in-law; six precious grandchildren — including two newborns she held in her arms before God called her home; her beloved 99-year-old mother; and a vast circle of family, friends, church members, and spiritual children who now feel the weight of her absence.

Her passing leaves an ache that words cannot fully hold. Yet her life leaves a legacy that time cannot erase.

And though we grieve deeply, we thank God for the gift of her. For every prayer she prayed. Every lesson she taught. Every life she touched. Every moment she loved.

Twila lived with purpose. She served with passion. She loved with her whole heart.

And now she rests in glory.

Funeral Arrangements

Wake

Monday, November 24th

4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Funeral Service

Tuesday, November 25th

10:00 AM

Location:

Second Baptist Church

11111 Pinkston Dr.

Miami, FL 33176

All who loved her are invited to gather, mourn, celebrate, and honor the remarkable life of Rev. Twila Laverne Hargrove Payne.