Ollie Pearl Baylis-Payne
Dr. Ollie Pearl Baylis-Payne was born in Monticello on April 20, 1942, the daughter of Doc and Beatrice Baylis. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt who passed away on Feb. 25, 2021, from cancer.
She graduated from McCullough High School (1960) and relocated to California soon after, where she joined an aunt and her siblings. In California, she graduated from Riverside Junior College (1962), earned a BA in social welfare from San Francisco State (1965), Master of Social Welfare (1969), and Doctor of Education (1989), both from U.C. Berkeley. She worked in various roles in California and London, England, before joining Contra Costa Community College, where she retired after 23 years (1989-2012) as an EOPS Counselor.
Ollie was an active member of the Imani Community Church, serving on various committees. She was a proud member of Oakland East Bay Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and spent countless hours working to support important community initiatives. In retirement, she continued to support Contra Costa College, reading countless scholarship applications during scholarship season, serving on the EOPS Advisory board, and sharing her voice and expertise to champion support for students in need.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Clarence Payne Sr.; her son, Mandela Baylis; grandson, Nazir; stepson, Paul Payne (Cathy); stepdaughter, Felicia Wimberly (Bo); her siblings, Frank Baylis, of Monticello; Clarine Thompson, Robert Baylis, and Hurriah Baylis (Lillie), of Riverside, Calif.; Henrine Cunningham, of Oakland, Calif.; and Glenn Baylis (Karen), of Florence, Ore.; in addition to dozens of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held on March 15, 2021, and was recorded on YouTube for those unable to attend. Watch the recording by visiting the Imani Community Church YouTube link online at https://youtu.be/SnfMUeAge5s.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to “The EOPS Ollie Baylis-Payne Transfer Scholarship” at Contra Costa Community College. To donate by credit or debit card, or PayPal, Contra Costa College Foundation, https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/contracostacollegefoundation, choose your donation amount (one-time donation or monthly, and select “The EOPS Ollie Baylis-Payne Transfer Scholarship” as your special purpose.
