Tributes

Esther Mae Payton, peacefully departed this life on May 3, 2026, surrounded by loving family members. She was born on May 7, 1931, in Simpson, NC, to the late Lossie Little. Due to the untimely passing of her mother when she was young, Esther Mae was raised by her grandfather, John Bryant Parker “Papa,” grandmother, Elizabeth Parker, and her devoted aunts, Cora and Cassie. She was raised alongside Mary Harris and Shirley Clemons, who were her first cousins but grew to be more like sisters and shared a lifelong bond. Esther Mae was also very close to her aunts Ida, Gladys, Reather, and Jeannette, as well as her uncle, John Henry “Buddy” Parker. She attended school in Simpson, NC, where she spent her early childhood years surrounded by family, faith, and community. Esther Mae was no stranger to hard work. Alongside her husband Zeno “Dean” Payton, she helped farm and provide for her family with strength and determination. Later in life, she found employment with Procter & Gamble, where she continued to demonstrate the same dedication, resilience, and work ethic that defined her throughout her life. Esther Mae loved attending church and especially looked forward to Sundays at Hayes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she faithfully served as one of the Mothers of the Church. On Saturdays, you could hear the excitement in her voice as she prepared for worship the next day. Her faith, joy, and devotion were evident to all who knew her. Esther Mae also enjoyed cooking, doing puzzles, and watching her favorite television shows. No matter how many times she watched them, she reacted as though it was her first time seeing them — right up until she started telling everyone what was about to happen next. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dean; her daughters, Diane Payton-Stokes (Eddie Mac) of West Haven, CT and Delores Payton of Ayden, NC; her three brothers, Oscar Lee Whitfield of Rocky Mount, NC; Willie “Rabbit” Parker and Earl Parker, both of Simpson, NC; and two beloved grandchildren, Chasity Labrell Payton and Shelton Johnson. She leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving children, Annie Pearl Dudley (William “Bro”) of Greenville, NC; Carolyn Gilliam (John Moore) of Greenville, NC; Mary Wilkes (Johnnie “Willie C”) of Greenville, NC; Brenda Daniels (Rodrick) of Greenville, NC; Vickie Pitts-Lawrence (Joseph) of Greenville, NC; Veronica “Renee” Payton-Snider (William “Bill”) of Chesapeake, VA; and Stephanie Payton-Rigsby (Olayta) of Owings Mills, MD; also holding a special place in her heart was her granddaughter, Nicole Parker of Greenville, NC, whom Esther Mae and Zeno “Dean” Payton helped raise as one of their own from a young age. She also leaves to cherish her precious memory nineteen surviving grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whom she loved deeply. Esther Mae was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend whose kindness, wisdom, strength, and unconditional love touched everyone who knew her. She was intelligent, funny, witty, loving, and giving — truly one of a kind. She possessed remarkable strength, unwavering tenacity, and a resilience that inspired everyone around her. She often said, “I’m a little piece of leather, but well put together!” And tough she was. Those words became a reflection of the strength, dignity, and perseverance that carried her throughout her life. One of the many cherished memories shared by her daughters was during fair season. They would come home from school to discover that their mother had bought them brand-new outfits to wear to the fair. To many, it may have seemed unusual to buy children new clothes only to wear out and get dirty, but that was the kind of loving and devoted mother Esther Mae was. There was nothing too trivial to go to her about. She always had a listening ear, often saying, “My children can always come to me with anything.” She found joy in making her children feel special, loved, and cared for, and those memories became treasures that her family will forever hold close to their hearts. We thank God for the beautiful life and lasting legacy of our mom. Her strength, wisdom, faith, laughter, and unconditional love will forever remain woven into the tapestry of the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved her. Until we meet again, our sweet Butterfly.

Tributes

Ms. Esther Mae Payton

May 7, 1931 - May 3, 2026