Tributes

David Terry Payton, Gospel Producer and Play Writer, had his final curtain call here on earth October 4, 2011. David was born to the late John David (Buster) and Hattie Adams Peyton on July 11,1960 in Pitt County North Carolina. He grew up in the Simpson and Greenville communties. David learned his work ethics on a 250 acre farm owned by his parents. David started his writing career at G.R Whitfield School in Grimesland,NC. For a school assignment, he wrote an essay concerning integration about how stupid it is for people to act one way in front of others, but in private act accoring to their hearts. His essay "Predjudice", won the school contest and became part of the Pitt County School Handbook. David graduated from D.H Conley High School and attended St. Augustine where his theatrical skills were devolped and sharpened. While attending St. Augustine, he worked with Laverne Players Theater Group and starred in the play, Slow Dance on the Killing Ground. He received substantial publicity and many awards for outstanding performance in the play. He continued his education at Johnson C. Smith University, majoring in Business and Marketing. David gradated from Carolina School of Broadcasting in Charlotte, NC. He worked in the entertainment business until he gave his life to Christ and became an Associate Pastor of the Temple Chapel Baptist Church in Charlotte,NC. He also became a member of the Prince Hall Masons in Charlotte,NC. During this time , David devoloped an outreach ministry employing Christian drama. Out of this ministry, David wrote and produced the electrifying spiritual gospel musical play, A Good Man Is Hard To Find in 1990. Jay Lee Freeman, an attorney who backed performances such as David Copperfield, Disney on Ice and Sesame Street, enabled the musical play to tour around the country to sold-out crowds in over 100 cities. In 2007, 20th Century Fox and Code Black Entertainment produced the movie, A Good Man Is Hard To Find, which is currently seen on national television across the United States. David recieved recognition by the NAACP in 1993 and the play, A Good Man Is Hard To Find, was nominated as Play of the Year. In 2008, in Beverly Hills, David's movie and personal appearance was a part of the annual Internation Black Film Festival competition where he presented a panel presentation on what it takes to write a story and then adapt it to a stage play. Since A Good Man Is Hard To Find, David has written, produced and directed several inspirational gospel musical stage plays, such as: The Real Meaning of Christmas, Child Support, Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got. When a Woman's Fed Up, Tired of Being Alone, Train Up a Child, Let's Straighten It Out, Better Put that Woman First, They Said I Wouldn't Make It, Stand By me and presently, behind the Pulpit which is touring around the Eastern United States. David was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. (Buster) and Hattie Adams Payton; a sister. Shirley Payton Clemons and a brother, William travis Payton. He is survived by one son, David Donnell Payton of Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Marquita Rene Payton of Charlotte, NC and Davonya Campbell Payton and her mother/companion, Annette Campbell of Greenville, NC and one god-daughter, Chamika Campbell-White; three sisters: Vera Blackwell (William) of Greenville, NC, Jacqueline Payton Simmons (Judge) of Montoursville, Pennsylvania and Linda Payton; four brothers: J.D. Payton Jr., Clinton Early Payton (Faye) all from Temple Hill, Maryland; Richard Payton (Dover) of Manassas, Maryland, David Reese of Greenville, NC; one foster brother, Marcellus Roach of Bethel, NC; one grandson, Isaiah Donnell Payton of Beaufort, NC and one god-granddaughter, Naeem Williams. He is survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tributes

Mr. David Terry Payton

July 11, 1960 - October 4, 2011