Iris Laverne Payne, 77, was born on September 30, 1943, to the late Buck and Lillie Anthony, in Neuhardt, AR. She departed this life to be with her Heavenly Father on March 3, 2021. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Dr. Terri Laverne Payne of Beaumont, CA, and siblings: Luke Sears Anthony III and Edith Faye Anthony, both of Anthonyville, AR.

She retired as a school teacher from Archild DayCare Center in Little Rock, AR in 2005.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Y. Akins of Jacksonville; two granddaughters: Kharisty Akins and Vivian Akins of Texas; a grandson: Henry (Corisma) Akins III of Louisiana; three great-grandsons: Kholbie Rufus of Texas, Henry Akins IV and Austin Akins of Louisiana; two great-granddaughters: Emari Miles of Texas and Aleiyah Akins of Louisiana; sisters: Mildred Kelley of Inglewood, CA, Ida Anthony of Anthonyville, AR, Linda (Bennie) Malone of Little Rock, AR, and Harriet Anthony of Marion, AR; one brother: Joseph S. (Panzy) Anthony, Sr., of Marion, AR; a maternal uncle: Solon Anthony of Anthonyville, AR; a maternal aunt: Ida Mae Anthony of Chicago, Illinois; and a multitude of nieces and nephews, cousins, loved ones and close friends.

A celebration of her life will be held Friday, March 12, 2021, 12:00 noon in the Hardy Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, 5300 West 12th Street. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 11, 2021 from 6-7pm at the funeral home. A Burial will be immediately following the ceremony on Friday March 12, 2021 at Elm lawn Cemetery, 5900 West 12th Street Little Rock, Arkansas. Due to covid a facial mask is required.