Janet Elaine Payne Wilson

Janet Elaine Payne-Wilson

Janet Wilson, 88, of Benton passed away Thursday morning, March 12, 2026 at home. She was born in Chicago Heights, IL on January 9, 1938, the daughter of Gale and Hazel (Parrish) Sneed She and her family relocated to Ewing when she was in the 5th grade.

Janet married Robert (Bob) Payne on October 28, 1955. He preceded her in death February 15, 2011. After graduation from Benton High School she worked various jobs including a law office and a local bank. Janet managed the showroom and office duties of her husband Bob’s business, Pinson and Payne, later becoming Bob Payne Plumbing in Benton. Later she enjoyed the office duties of a Benton real estate office.

In 2013, Janet reconnected with a former classmate from Ewing Grade School, William Wilson. Later that year she and Bill married on September 28, 2013 and he survives.

As a young woman she loved singing with the Sneed Sisters and the gospel group The Psalmaneers. She was an active member of the Whittington Baptist Church and had many friends there. She was a great cook and made amazing pies. She enjoyed the church senior meals and quilting group.

Janet is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Gayla Dial (Bryan) of Riverview, FL and Mrs. Robin McAfoos (Tom) of Thompsonville, IL. She is also survived by a sister, Judy Smith (Tom) and brother-in-law John Payne (Barbara) all of Benton, IL.

Also surviving are three grandchildren: Rachel (Gostowski) Valosik (Jim) of Nashville, TN, Jason Gostowski (Kate) of Woosburn, KY, and Jessie (McAfoos) Fedyniak (Alec) of Sierra Madre, CA.

Janet was blessed with four step-children: Julie Brannan, Missoula, MT, Carla Brannan, Gillette, WY, Jane Todd, Carrollton, IL, and Cathy Wilson, Eldred, IL.

Step-grandchildren include George (Christina) Dial, children Kinsley and Lincoln, Clarksville, TN and Amy (Hector) Quintero, and daughter Annalise, Dover AFB Delaware.

Many great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren were also loved by Mrs. Wilson.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Ronald Newcomb, and Carolyn and Ronald Lynch. She was also preceded by an infant brother Milford Lee.

She will be greatly missed by her church friends and her extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday April 6th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. on Monday at the funeral home.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

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