Terrill Tyrone Payton

“I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only; but unto all them that love appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8

Terrill Tyrone Payton peacefully departed this earthly life on August 6, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Terrill was born January 16, 1979, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Jacqueline Brown and the late Lon C. Smith, Sr. He was a very special child with a gift to draw people to him with admiration and respect even at an early age.

Terrill was educated in the Benton Harbor School System and the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Public Schools. In school, Terrill was actively involved with his classmates and participated in various sports activities.

Terrill loved people and people loved him.  He was known for family and social gatherings. He loved to have cookouts and food for everyone. He genuinely enjoyed hosting people coming together and having fun. He was a committed friend to those he called friend which often resulted in lifelong friendships. Terrill was a huge fan of the University of Michigan Athletics. He was their “number one” fan.

He was ambitious and loved to work to support his family. He held various positions such as manager of Popeye’s, Save-A-Lot, and Max 10 Clothing store. Additionally, he enjoyed working for himself. As an entrepreneur, he worked in the areas of food service and transportation.

 Family was important to Terrill. He was a loving and devoted father to his children, Ronesha (Cliff), and Zaria, one son, Zachery (Nikki), Bonus Children Da’lneska, Quinshon, (Titeanna), Mai’Lyjha, Quierra, and Kelci (Ben).

Terrill loved the Lord and dedicated his life to serving God at First True Love Apostolic Church under the leadership of Pastor Samuel T. Manns and later serving at Abundant Life-Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Duane Seats, Benton Harbor, MI.

In 2019 something very special happened to Terrill; he met the love of his life, Kyla Wilson-Payton. They loved each and became inseparable. Their love became exciting and adventurous. They shared the love of fishing and often you could find them early in the morning at their favorite fishing spot.

Terrill leaves his legacy in the hearts of his wife, Kyla Payton; his mother, Mrs. Jacqueline Brown, one son, Zachary, two daughters, Ronesha (Cliff) and Zaria, nine grandchildren, and two godchildren-Kentara Willis and Kristopher Terrill Cohn, eight brothers, James Ruffins, Lon C. Smith Jr., Anthony Hayley, Kenneth (Rosie) Hayley and Quantario Payton of Benton Harbor, MI; Donald Payton, Daymeon Payton of Milwaukee, WI; Erskine (Carla) Payton of Philadelphia, PA; three sisters, Vicki (George) Anderson of Casa Grand, AZ, Tina Payton of Benton Harbor; Reaquia Eaton of Dallas, TX, three aunts, Patricia Cole, Darlene Robinson and Carmen Payton, and one special uncle Anthony Payton and a host of nieces. nephews and other family and friends.

Knowing that this earthly tabernacle is not our home; we are just passing through. Terrill answered God’s call from his labor to his reward.

‘We are confident, to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord’

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Terrill Tyrone Payton, please visit our floral store.