Growing up, Leslie Payne had dreams of being a police officer, but her life took a different  path. 

“I had no idea,” Payne said of her long tenure at Care Lodge, a domestic violence shelter in Meridian. “Like most people in the school, you have an idea of what your path may look like, but sometimes when God intervenes in your life, he sets your life on another path.”

After 26 years at Care Lodge, the last 19 as its executive director, Payne will retire at the end of June. During her time there, she’s seen the establishment of a wide variety of domestic violence programs and an increase in services to outlying counties.

‘It didn’t sound very interesting to me’ 

Before she started working in the childcare center at Care Lodge in 1993, Payne worked for the Lauderdale County School District and in a foster grandparent program. 

When she interviewed for the position at Care Lodge, she wasn’t sure she even wanted the job. 

“I almost didn’t go to the interview, because I really didn’t want to work at some child care place in a domestic shelter,” Payne recalled. “It didn’t sound very interesting to me.” 

But her attitude quickly changed after she accepted the position. 

“When I walked into the door at Care Lodge, I knew within just the first couple of hours that I found a place that God wanted me to be,” Payne said.

After working with children for about a year, Payne became a case manager for the center.  She then took on other roles, and became executive director in 2000.

During her time at Care Lodge, Payne focused on awareness about domestic violence, specifically the stigma surrounding the issue. She also helped to expand victim advocate services to Kemper, Newton and Neshoba counties and pushed to expand court protection orders.

Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. 

Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said that when he first started working in law enforcement, there were no programs that advocated for victims of domestic violence.

But Care Lodge now offers training programs for law enforcement officers, and holds conferences to bring awareness to domestic violence.

“She’s been a gift to the community,” Sollie said of Payne. 

Abby Miller, the shelter director at Care Lodge, described the culture Payne fostered as “family.” She said Payne’s presence will always be felt at the agency. 

“Care Lodge is about who she is,” Miller said. “We will still think about her all the time.” 

David Schultz, executive director for Wesley House, said he enjoyed partnering with Payne through the years, as their services sometimes overlapped. 

“It has been a pleasure working with Leslie,” Schultz said. 

‘I still feel like we made a difference’

Payne said her work could be challenging, but rewarding, especially when she connected with people needing assistance. Recently,  two families showed up looking for help, and  Care Lodge found them a place to stay.

“I still feel like we make a difference, we offer hope, and that we are here for reason,” Payne said.” 

Payne said that while she enjoyed her time at Care Lodge, it’s time to move on. Instead of working late in her office, she’s planning a motorcycle trip with her husband through North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

“I’m going to have some wind therapy,” Payne said.

She hopes the new director of Care Lodge shares her passion for helping others, but brings a new set of eyes as well.  

“It’s time for someone with a fresh perspective to take over Care Lodge,” she said.