Amber Michelle Payne

Amber Michelle Payne, born on September 7, 1972, in Topeka, Kansas, passed away on March 9, 2026, in Holton, Kansas. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and unwavering support for those around her.

A proud graduate of Highland Park High School, class of 1991, Amber worked as a waitress at Por'e Richards, Perkins, and Trails Cafe in Holton. Her outgoing personality and warm nature endeared her to customers and coworkers alike. Known as the “mother bear” to her children’s friends, she offered comfort and a helping hand to many, always ready with a listening ear.

Amber was the beloved wife of Chuck Payne, whom she met while working at Por'e Richards. They married on March 21, 1997, and built a strong partnership filled with laughter and love. She was the devoted mother of Robert Spatz and Sarah Payne, nurturing them and their friends with profound affection.

She found joy in simple pleasures: watching favorite movies such as Titanic, Little House on the Prairie, and Pride and Prejudice, reading, spending time with her dog Dragon, visiting the mountains of Colorado, taking peaceful bike rides and walks around Shawnee Lake, and watching elephants at the zoo. Amber is survived by her husband Chuck, her children Robert and Sarah, her sister Patricia Young, her mother Karen Brown, and Ron. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Pat Billingsley and Robert Billingsley.