Connie J Payne

Connie Jo Bellinghausen Payne, age 73, passed away peacefully at her home in Lakeway, TX on April 23, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Connie was born on September 11, 1949, to Urban Joseph Bellinghausen and Rosemary Hertel Bellinghausen in Munday, Texas. Connie first attended school in Rhineland and later in Munday, graduating from Munday High School in 1968. While in school, she excelled in academics and a variety of sports, winning the state championship in persuasive speaking as well as being a state semifinalist in tennis. During her high school years, Connie was a four-year letterman in volleyball and basketball and still holds the record for points scored (52) in a Munday High School women’s basketball game. Connie graduated from Texas Tech University in 1972 with degrees in government and physical education. While at Tech, Connie played on the varsity volleyball team and remains a member of the Texas Tech Lettermen’s Association. After college, Connie moved to Houston and taught government while coaching volleyball at several area high schools. In 1976, she earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Houston. Connie attended South Texas College of Law and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) and State of Texas Law license in 1982. During her years as an attorney, Connie specialized in civil litigation and maintained a solo law practice in her name. In 2013, she retired and moved to Lakeway. She was also a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association and Association of Women Attorneys.

Connie loved sports, whether as a participant or as a spectator. She played tennis much of her life and was an avid golfer. She supported her Texas Tech Red Raiders and was thrilled to be an honorary coach for Marsha Sharp at a Texas Tech women’s basketball game. Always a devoted baseball fan, Connie celebrated her birthday for many years by attending New York Yankees games. She also remained a loyal fan of the Houston Astros even after moving to Hill Country. Connie loved fishing and never considered her catches to be anything but “big ones”. She also like to travel, making several trips to Europe and visiting almost every state in the United States, including numerous Presidential Libraries.

Connie’s greatest joy was her family and the many friendships she made along the way. Connie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Austin, the United Women in Faith Joy Circle and the Epiphany Sunday school class. She encouraged her Epiphany and Joy Circle friends to become aware of the needs of refugees by investing their time and resources in mission outreach to facilities in South Texas.

Connie is survived by her partner, Becky Ratliff of Lakeway, her father, Urban Bellinghausen of Munday, TX and her brothers and sisters: Urban John Bellinghausen and his wife Jody of Argyle, TX; Jim Bellinghausen and his wife Christy of Irving, TX; Lynn Bellinghausen and his wife Susan of Houston, TX; Nancy Tidwell of Munday, TX and Cheryl Greenwood of Burkburnett, TX. Connie was the very proud aunt of Brian Bellinghausen, Megan Bellinghausen, Katie Rutherford, Ryan Bellinghausen, Bridgett Miller, Eric Beaty, Tanya Fields and Heather Gholson. She also loved hearing about the activities of her many great nieces and nephews. Special in her heart were her great nieces, Emory and Charlotte Rutherford, whose birthdays she never missed and with whom she shared her fishing secrets. Connie was preceded in death by her mother, Rosemary Bellinghausen and her nephew Chris Bellinghausen.

A public memorial will be held Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Austin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca St., Austin 78701, to Texas Tech University, or to the charity of your choice.