Mary Ruth (Payne) Todd was born on March 23, 1899, in Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona Territory, the only daughter of Edwin Clement and Maris Anna (Wing) Payne.  Her grandfather, Thomas Wing, who moved to Prescott in 1882, coined the name “Granite Dells,” which has become a popular colloquialism for the entire area that was once called, "The Point of the Rocks.” 

As a youth, Mary spent a lot of time at the Granite Dells.  She was quite the “tom boy.”  Her brothers taught her to ride horses, climb rocks and trees, and swim and fish.  Her radiant smile, quick wit, and outgoing personality made her one of the most popular students at Prescott High School.  She loved people and was loved by everyone who knew her.  After graduating from Prescott High School, she was one of the few women to attend the University of Arizona.  She graduated with a B.A. degree in 1922, and obtained the position as principal and teacher at Skull Valley Elementary School.  Although she was a strict disciplinarian, her students loved her.  One of her students, Boyd Tenney, said, "Mary Ruth Payne Todd was my favorite school teacher." 

Mary met Joel Douglas Todd in Prescott.  They married on June 12, 1928, at the Lone Star Baptist Church on South Marina St. in Prescott.  The June 12, 1928, Prescott Evening Courier reported, “Miss Payne was attended by her father.  She was gowned in a dainty creation of white georgett with a charming hat to match and carried an arm bouquet of pink Brier Cliff roses, and wore an heirloom necklace and carried a rose print handkerchief, another family heirloom, during the ceremony.” When they married, Mary was a member of the faculty of the Washington School and Joel was a real estate broker in Prescott.  He had a countywide reputation for honesty and integrity.  They had two sons, Douglas Todd and Marvin Todd.  Douglas was an Arizona State Representative.  When Mary registered to vote in 1930, she described herself as being five feet one inches tall and weighing 125 pounds.

Joel died April 6, 1970, and was buried at the Whipple Cemetery (now Prescott National Cemetery) in Prescott.  Mary was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Prescott, serving as the first vice president for the Conservative Baptist Women’s Missionary Society in 1961.  She was also very active in Gideon's International, serving as the secretary-treasurer in 1957, and the Republican Women's Club.  She had life-long friends everywhere she went. 

Mary Ruth Payne Todd died March 31, 1984, and was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in Prescott.

NOTE:  Mary's son, Douglas Todd, restored a Ford Model T Pickup Truck and donated to the Sharlot Hall Museum in 2015.  This truck is currently [2019] on display in the Museum's Transportation Building.  

Donor: Robert Payne, nephew, 2018
Photo Located: Wing-Payne Family Collection, PC-121
Updated: 12/29/2018, D. Sue Kissel