The Memphis-Shelby County Schools family is mourning the loss of former educator and District leader Sunya Payne, whose more than 20 years of service transformed the lives of countless students, families, educators, and communities across Memphis.

A passionate advocate for children and a dedicated servant leader, Ms. Payne devoted her career to ensuring every student had the support and opportunities needed to succeed. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to serving others left an enduring impact on the District and the community she loved.

Throughout her career with legacy Memphis City Schools and Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Ms. Payne served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Director of Family and Community Engagement, and Director of Partnerships and Advancement. Whether serving in the classroom, leading a school, or shaping District initiatives, she remained committed to strengthening relationships between schools, families, and the community because she believed every child deserved the support needed to thrive.

As principal of Alcy Elementary School, Ms. Payne worked alongside families and community members to advocate for students and strengthen the school community. Later, in district leadership, she became a driving force behind the district’s family and community partnership efforts, cultivating relationships with businesses, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, and community leaders to bring valuable resources directly into schools.

Through her leadership in Partnerships and Family Engagement, Ms. Payne expanded access to family engagement programming, literacy initiatives, student support services, volunteer opportunities, wellness resources, and school supplies that enriched the lives of thousands of students and families across Memphis-Shelby County Schools. She championed initiatives such as Read Around the Christmas Tree, Boo for Books, and community engagement events that connected families with books, educational resources, and meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom. Her ability to unite people around a common purpose strengthened the connection between schools and the communities they serve while ensuring students and families had the support they needed to succeed. 

Ms. Payne also cultivated partnerships that delivered tangible resources directly to students and schools. Working with organizations including the Memphis Grizzlies, Nike, New Direction Christian Church, and other community partners, she helped secure school supplies, uniforms, literacy resources, and personal care items through initiatives such as the MSCS Necessity Drive. Her work reflected a simple but powerful belief: when students' basic needs are met, they are better prepared to learn and thrive.

Those who worked alongside Ms. Payne say one of her greatest gifts was bringing people together in service of children and families. Divalyn Gordon, Executive Director of MSCS Early Childhood and Pre-K, said her leadership in Partnerships and Family Engagement created lasting opportunities that continue to benefit students across the district.

"Ms. Sunya Payne was a tireless advocate for children and families across Memphis-Shelby County Schools," said Ms. Gordon. “Her unwavering commitment to building meaningful community partnerships expanded opportunities for students, strengthened support for families, and reinforced the belief that every child deserves access to the resources needed to thrive. Her ability to unite people around a common purpose left a lasting impact that will continue to benefit our schools and community for years to come.”

Dr. Terrence D. Brittenum, MSCS Regional Superintendent of the Northwest Region, recalled one of the many lessons Ms. Payne shared throughout their friendship and professional relationship.

“Our standard greeting was, 'Hold, Please!' It became one of the many things that always reminded me of Sunya. Early in my career, she shared a powerful lesson with me that has stayed with me ever since: 'Promotion comes from God.' Those words have remained with me from that day to this one and continue to remind me to trust God's timing and purpose.”

Those who had the privilege of working alongside Ms. Payne remember her as a compassionate leader whose dedication inspired everyone around her.

Melinda Callahan, Advisor of MSCS Family Partnership and School Support, reflected on the impact Ms. Payne had on colleagues and the community. "Unapologetically, Sunya Payne was an amazing woman, a pillar in our community, a fearless advocate for children, and, above all, a loving sister, loyal friend, compassionate listener, and one of the hardest workers I've ever known. Sunya didn't just talk the talk. She worked fearlessly alongside us, standing in the gap for children and our community every single day. Her strength, dedication, and unwavering commitment inspired everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. 

While her work in Partnerships and Family Engagement defined much of her career, Ms. Payne also served the district in Communications, where she continued supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools by helping share stories that celebrated students, educators, and school communities.

Beyond her work with the District, Ms. Payne remained deeply committed to serving Memphis. She was a faithful member of New Direction Christian Church, where she served on the Finance Team for more than 20 years. She was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, initiated through the Memphis Alumnae Chapter in Spring 2007, and remained committed to the organization's principles of scholarship, sisterhood, service, and social action throughout her life. 

A proud graduate of Whitehaven High School, LeMoyne-Owen College, and Christian Brothers University, Ms. Payne generously supported the University of Memphis through her involvement with the Memphis Rebounders and was a devoted supporter of Memphis Tigers athletics and the Memphis Grizzlies. In 2023, her dedication to education and community service was recognized with the Memphis Grizzlies' HBCU Empowerment Award.

Above all, Ms. Payne cherished her faith, her family, and especially her daughter, Jazmine Mitchell.

Although Ms. Payne held many titles throughout her distinguished career, her greatest legacy lives on in the students she inspired, the families she empowered, the educators she encouraged, and the partnerships she built throughout Memphis. She demonstrated what it means to lead with humility, serve with compassion, and advocate relentlessly for children. 

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools family extends its heartfelt condolences to her daughter, Jazmine Mitchell, her family, friends, church family, sorority sisters, former colleagues, and everyone whose life was touched by her extraordinary example of service. Ms. Payne's impact will continue to be felt throughout our schools and community for generations to come, and her legacy will remain an enduring part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.