Myra Payne

Myra Payne was born in 1961 and raised on a farm in Smith County, Tennessee. From a young age, her parents, Tillman W. and Ruth J. Payne, instilled in her the value of political engagement. As a family, they actively campaigned for Albert Gore, Jr., setting an example for Myra to follow.

Myra’s educational journey began in a school specifically for Black students, where her mother worked as a teacher. This experience nurtured her love for learning and instilled in her a strong sense of community. She actively participated in a range of activities, including basketball, band, and choir, and even garnered recognition for her exceptional biscuit baking skills as a member of 4H.

Following her graduation from Gordonsville High School in 1979, she began her healthcare journey by volunteering for the Red Cross and later working as a nursing assistant at a local hospital. She continued her education and earned several degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Nursing Science in Adult Health Nursing (MSN), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.).