Mary Matilda, the third of 11 children, was born to Sidney Ivo and Agnes Jane Millay Payne on January 31, 1904 in Knottsville, Kentucky. Her faith journey began with baptism February 9 at St. William Church. An older sister, Vetta, taught Mary many lessons before she went to school. Vetta read stories, taught nursery rhymes and counting to the younger children. As a result of hearing about the Little Flower of Jesus, Matilda had a great love for the saint. Vetta died at age 14 and these chores fell to Matilda. Her formal education began in 1910 at a small public school, but she transferred to St. William School two years later. There she completed the eighth grade.
On July 16, 1921, Matilda, along with six other young ladies, entered the novitiate, and began preparation for the life of an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph. On March 20, 1922, she received the habit and the name Sister Angelina. Two days later, she was assigned to grades 4 and 5 at St. Charles School, Marion County, Kentucky. For 57 years, Sister Angela taught the lower or middle grades in schools across Kentucky, New Mexico, Missouri and Nebraska. Following that first mission to Marion County, she taught at Stanley, Jeffersontown, Louisville (St. Columba), Farmington and Blanco (New Mexico), Louisville (St. Paul), St Francis, Wax, Blanco (a second time), Calvary, Glennonville (Missouri), Plattsmouth (Nebraska), Peonia, Flaherty, Hawesville, Fredericktown, Holy Cross, Glennonville (a second time), San Fidel (New Mexico), Curdsville, and St. Francis (a second time). She retired from teaching in 1977 and resided at Knottsville.
She came to the Motherhouse in 1981. Although her health continually declined, she spent her days enjoying the prayerful quiet and security of community life. She had loved teaching all those years and told many interesting stories about her experiences with little children. She became especially enthusiastic when speaking about her years in New Mexico, where most of her pupils spoke very little English, modem conveniences were unheard of, and classrooms were small and poorly furnished. She was touched by the poverty of many of the children and their docility and appreciation.
Sister Angelina died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, November 17, 1999 at Owensboro Mercy Hospital. The wake service was held Friday evening, November 19th. The funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday morning, November 20, 1999 by Father Tony Shonis, chaplain. Sister Angelina’s remains are buried in the Convent cemetery. Among her survivors was her Ursuline niece, Sister Mary Gerald Payne.