Norma Alberta "Al" Payne, 78, of 508 Larchmont Place, Aiken, died Thursday, August 26, 2010 at home. She was surrounded by her family and Hospice caregivers. Al was the daughter of Lon and Cora Cody, and was born in St. Charles, Virginia. She graduated from Middlesboro High School in 1950 and attended Lincoln Memorial University before she married Roger Payne at Lone Mountain, TN in 1952. Later that year they came to Aiken to work for DuPont at the Savannah River Plant. Al was a founder of the first Garden Club in Crosland Park, and designed the sign that still stands at the entrance today. Until she moved to Kalmia Landing in 2007, Al worked tirelessly with her neighbors and the City of Aiken to pass ordinances and improve conditions in the Crosland Park neighborhood. When Al's daughters were in the Aiken County School system, she was always involved as a room mother and the PTA, including the Halloween Carnivals of old. Whatever was going on with her children, or in her community, Al was one of those people who always stepped up to help make things happen. Al is probably best known for her booth at Aiken's Makin' each year where she sold her Dough-si-Dough Christmas Ornaments. She was one of the earliest exhibitors there as well as at the O'Dell Weeks Christmas Craft Show. She enjoyed her customers, and they became her friends. Thousands of her ornaments hang on Christmas Trees all over the CSRA, and will always be reminders of her talent and bubbly personality. In keeping with Al's altruism and active life, she delivered Meals on Wheels for 20 years. She knew the sustenance of caring conversation was just as important as the sustenance of the meal itself. She touched many lives as they touched hers. Al is preceded in death by her husband Roger K. Payne, her brother Jack Cody, and her grandson Ross Lacke. She is survived by a brother: Ernest Cody; three daughters and sons-in-law: Amy and Frank Potts of Lake Murray, SC, Beth and Dan Owens of Raleigh, NC, and Martha and Phil Albenesius of Anaheim, CA.; seven grandchildren: Evan Lacke, Laura Torres, Anna Lacke, Matt Owens, Jay Owens, Will Albenesius, and Drew Albenesius; four great-grandchildren: Cody and Mason Owens, and Ashton and Lilah Rose Torres; and Pearl Mack, her caretaker and constant friend, who has become part of her family. A memorial service will take place at Aiken First Baptist Church at 2 pm on Sunday, August 29. Friends are welcome to call on the family at Al's home in Kalmia Landing, 508 Larchmont Place, from 3-6 pm on Sunday afternoon. Interment will be in the Payne Family Cemetery at Lone Mountain, TN. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Al's memory to Aiken Meals on Wheels.