Background
Payne, Mary Libby was born on March 27, 1932 in Gulfport, Mississippi, United States. Daughter of Reece O. and Emily Augusta (Cook) Bickerstaff.
Payne, Mary Libby was born on March 27, 1932 in Gulfport, Mississippi, United States. Daughter of Reece O. and Emily Augusta (Cook) Bickerstaff.
Student, Mississippi University for Women, 1952. Bachelor in Political Science with distinction, University Mississippi, 1954. Bachelor of Laws, University Mississippi, 1955.
Partner, Bickerstaff & Bickerstaff, Gulfport, 1955-1956; secretary, Guaranty Title Company, Jackson, Mississippi, 1957; associate, Henley, Jones, & Henley, Jackson, Mississippi, 1958-1961; freelance researcher, Pearl, Mississippi, 1961-1963; solo practitioner, Brandon, Mississippi, 1963-1968; executive director, Mississippi Judiciary Commission, Jackson, 1968-1970; chief drafting & research, Mississippi House Representatives, Jackson, 1970-1972; assistant attorney general, State Attorney General Office, Jackson, 1972-1975; founding dean, associate professor School Law, Mississippi College, Jackson, 1975-1978; professor, Mississippi College, Jackson, 1978-1994; judge, Mississippi Court Appeals, Jackson, since 1995. Advisory board Sarah Ison Center Women Studies U. Mississippi, 1988-1997. Board distinguished alumnae Mississippi U. Women, 1988-1997.
Founder, board directors Christian Conciliation Service, Jackson, 1983-1993. Board directors Exchange Club's Child Abuse Prevention Center of Jackson, 1999-2001. Counsel Christian Action Committee Rankin Baptist Association, Pearl, 1968-1992.
Advisor Covenant Ministerial Fellowship, 1995-2002. Fellow American Bar Foundation. Member Mississippi Bar Foundation, Christian Legal Society (national board directors 1992-2001, Skeeter Ellis Service to Law Students award 1999, Lifetime Achievement award 2002).
Married Bobby R. Payne. Children: Reece Allen, Glenn Russell.