Roberta Payne

Okey dokey, making a joke out of thin air

Being able to have a sense of humor and to laugh are important to Roberta Payne, especially during tough economic times.

“It’s the simple things that make you laugh,” Payne said.

And she appreciates maintaining those simple things.

“If you have your home and food and family, you’re blessed,” Payne said. “But the most important thing is having your faith.”

She said that just talking with neighbors or with her family is always an opportunity for laughter.

Payne moved to Iowa City from New York when she retired from a career in teaching. She said that she moved here to be with her daughter, Cynthia Ukah, and her four grandchildren, Okey, 16; Nneka, 17; Chike, 13; and Adanna, 20.

“I love my grandchildren,” she said.

In particular, she said Okey, who attends City High, can always make her laugh.

“He has a good sense of humor. He's practical and on target,” Payne said. “He was just over at the house last night and he had me cracking up.”

She said Okey can find humor in anything. Even when it’s cold outside, he’s able to make a joke out of it.

Outside of being funny, Payne described her grandson as a gentleman who always looks out for her well being.

For example, she said, when it was snowing out recently, Okey insisted on walking her out to her car.

— Chris Rhatigan

Iowa City Press-Citizen -- March 12, 2009