Carol Sue Payne Collins, age 83, of Halls and Oak Ridge, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Carol was preceded in death by her husbands, Johnny Payne and Stamper Collins; her parents, Neal and Edith Cardwell; her sister, Marie Rosson; and her parents-in-law, Bill and Alma Payne. She is survived by her children, Steve Payne and wife Michele; Janet Collins McGaha and husband Tim; Tim Collins and wife Sheila; and James D. Collins and wife Linda. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Morgan McGaha Hite and husband Miles; Carson Payne and wife Madison; Macy Payne; Katie Collins; Robert Collins; and Stamper Collins; and her great-grandchildren, Collins, Walker, and Elizabeth Hite.

Carol is also survived by her siblings; Harry Cardwell and wife Norma; Gary Cardwell and wife Pat; and Jerry Cardwell and wife Peggy, brother in law Harold Rosson, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

As a mom and Mimi, Carol Sue was a truly special person. We hope this obituary provides a glimpse into what she meant to her family and friends. As reflected in Linda Ellis’s beloved poem, The Dash, a person’s life is measured not simply by the dates marking their birth and passing, but by the precious moments, memories, love, and lives touched in between. Carol filled her dash with love for her family, kindness toward others, caring, laughter, and countless cherished memories. She lived in a way that touched all who knew and loved her, and her legacy will continue through the many lives she influenced. It is difficult to define what a wonderful life she lived—one worthy of a movie. Her story can be remembered through three memorable chapters: The Cardwells, The Paynes, and The Collinses.

The Cardwells

Carol was one of five children born to Neal, known as Papaw, and Edith, known as Mamaw. Her older sister was Marie, and her brothers were Harry, Gary, and Jerry.

Carol graduated from Halls High School in the 1960 class. She grew up at 7642 Old Maynardville Pike, on a small farm. The childhood and family life she experienced during those years must have been something to see, based on the many stories passed down through the family.

We would like to share one story that we hope brings a smile to your face. While Carol and Marie were attending high school, they did not particularly care for the dress code. As Mamaw would recount, the girls would leave home in the morning dressed in clothing that met the school’s requirements. However, somewhere along the way, they would remove their proper-length skirts, revealing shorter shorts underneath. Before long, Mamaw would be called to the school to deal with her girls. If you knew Carol, you would have had no trouble imagining her defying the rules.

Through the years, Papaw, Mamaw, and their home were the centerpiece of the close-knit family that remained together through all the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and ups and downs life brings. We were fortunate beyond imagination to see Papaw calling the cattle and working in his woodshop while Mamaw cooked and cared for everyone. One of our favorite sayings from Papaw was, “It’s sure nice to have everybody here at the house, but I love to see those taillights when they leave.”

The Paynes

Johnny and Carol were high school sweethearts. We are not entirely sure how a Central Bobcat ended up with a Halls Red Devil, but the story goes that they met at the Blue Circle drive-in. However it happened, they seemed destined for each other from the beginning. Johnny’s parents, Bill, known as Grandad, and Alma, known as Granny had three sons: Johnny, Herb, and Dennis. They had that same close-knit family dynamic in Fountain City, just on the other side of Black Oak Ridge from the Cardwells. As fate would have it, Neal, Edith, Bill, Alma, and the siblings of Johnny and Carol became lifelong friends. As you watch the slideshow prepared for Carol’s celebration of life, you will see picture after picture of these two families camping, celebrating holidays and birthdays, and simply going through life together.

If you have ever spent time around Fountain City or Central High School, you know that the Payne name is synonymous with that community. Johnny was—and remains—a widely known name because of his athletic career, which is a story in itself. In 2023, our cousin Beth Kinnane wrote a wonderful piece about Johnny titled “Remembering Bobcat Legend Johnny Payne.” The story is about Carol and Johnny. Those who would like to read it can find it here:

https://www.knoxtntoday.com/remembering-bobcat-legend-johnny-payne

We would also be remiss if we did not mention two other close friends of the Payne family during those high school years: Oakie and Ozella Pickard. Carol and Johnny loved them deeply. Carol and Johnny were married on November 30, 1963, at Smithwood Baptist Church and made their home on Route 13 Cline Road. Their son, Steve, was born in 1967. Sadly, Johnny passed away from a fatal illness later that same year.

Carol did a remarkable job raising her infant son as a single mother, supported by all the family and friends named above, along with many others. During this time, she also worked as a teller at Fountain City Bank. Ultimately, her banking career would lead her into the next chapter of her life.

The Collinses

While working at the bank, Carol met Stamper Collins sometime around 1977. They were married in December 1978 and made their home at 112 Albright Road in Oak Ridge. And so began the Collins years, with Stamper, daughter Janet, and sons Tim and James D.. Stamper was, simply put, larger than life. He was an incredible businessman and entrepreneur, having been born and raised in Whitesburg, Kentucky. It was an extraordinary act of fate that brought Stamper and Carol together. Their marriage united families and ultimately helped create the blended family that exists today, along with cherished connections to friends in Kentucky and Missouri.

This chapter of Carol’s life brought the Cardwells, the Paynes, and the Collinses together through all that life had to offer—there was never a dull moment and there were far more ups than downs. Once again, it was a story worthy of a movie. Carol stood by Stamper’s side and traveled the world with him, always welcoming family along the way. Stamper passed away in November 1989. Carol resumed her banking career at the Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge, making more lifelong friends and ultimately retiring from there. In later years of Carol’s life, an annual beach trip with our immediate family became one of the most memorable and happy traditions we were fortunate enough to share with her. Carol sitting on the beach, watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow, was truly one of the greatest joys of her life.

Carol continued to celebrate life by socializing, traveling, and spending time with her beloved group of girlfriends from Halls, Oak Ridge, Tazewell, Kentucky, and Missouri.

In closing, everyone who knew Carol understood that she was truly the matriarch of all the families mentioned above. To say that she “ran the show” would be an understatement. That remained true throughout her later years and even on her final day.

Carol had two specific final wishes. She requested one headstone next to Johnny at Lynnhurst Cemetery in Fountain City and another next to Stamper at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens. She also specifically requested that everyone who was part of her life come together for a celebration of life, which will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Carol’s memory to the American Cancer Society.