Little miss Oakleigh Ellamae Payne rang in the new year with her birth as Union General Hospital’s first baby of 2025.
She entered the world at 11:56 a.m. on Jan. 2, delivered by Dr. Kimberly Denton. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces, the healthy baby girl is home and settling in nicely.
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Parents Tori and Evan Payne of Hiwassee Dam, North Carolina, couldn’t be prouder, and their two sons – Danner, 10, and Waylon, 3 – are excited about their new status as big brothers.
“They absolutely love her,” Tori said. “It’s like that’s all they care about. ‘What’s she doing? How’s she doing? Is she eating good? Is she sleeping good?’ They just want to love on her all day long.”
Tori said her pregnancy was thankfully uneventful, and the delivery went smoothly. She had nothing but praise for the Union General Labor & Delivery team that helped to usher in the family’s newest addition.
And Tori was especially grateful for the care of nursing staff, who pleasantly surprised the parents by informing them that they would have the hospital’s New Year Baby because of her Jan. 2 labor.
The family has a history of boys, Tori said, and even though she was hoping for a girl, she was shocked to learn her new baby’s gender due to the well-established pattern of sons.
And so far, Oakleigh has been a quiet bundle of joy, only crying when she gets hungry or needs a diaper change.
Originally, Tori had suggested the name “Oaklynn,” but husband Evan was more partial to “Oakleigh.” Tori conceded, agreeing that the name was a beautiful fit for their little one.
As for the middle name, Ellamae, it was inspired by Evan’s love for “The Andy Griffith Show.”
“It was just a name that we liked, but it reminded him of his favorite show,” Tori explained with a laugh. “We didn’t know her middle name until I was eight months pregnant.”
Tori said everyone eagerly welcomed them home after Oakleigh’s arrival, and the rest of the family just “loves her to death.”
As part of their good fortune for having delivered the first local baby of the year, the Paynes received a special gift basket at the hospital.
“We sincerely thank River City Bank in Blairsville for their thoughtful generosity in providing a beautiful gift basket to the first baby born at Union General Hospital in 2025,” the hospital shared. “Your kindness and community spirit are deeply appreciated!”
Presenting the gift basket was River City Bank Vice President, Director of Human Resources, Katie Mashburn.
