Belendia Payton

Belendia Loretta (Smith) Payton was born January 17, 1951, to James Willie and Mary Alice Arress (Royster) Smith in Roxboro, North Carolina. In March 1954 the family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. She attended the Baltimore City Public Schools and, in 1973, graduated from Towson University with a degree in speech pathology. Later, she became a teacher in the Baltimore City Public Schools where she taught for more than 30 years in elementary, middle, and high school teaching positions. She was also a resource teacher for several years. Belendia met Earl Payton and they married in 1983. One son was born to this union in 1984, Earl Matthew Payton, known to family as Matt. Belendia, known to family as Loretta, was a quiet person with a great sense of humor. She was a family-oriented person, a true friend, and a daddy’s girl through and through. Belendia loved spending time with family. She embodied the Smith and Royster belief that God and family are critically important. She often visited and talked with her parents and sister, and they worshipped together. She regularly participated in larger family gatherings like holiday celebrations and family reunions. Prior to the decline in her health, she helped to nurse her mother. Until her death, she remained a faithful Christian who loved the Lord and doing his work. She played the piano and sang on the choir, was the organizer of Vacation Bible School and a VBS teacher, she also was president at various times of the Missionary, Outreach, and Pastor’s Aid Ministries. She also gained five sisters of the heart Joyce Henson, Juanita Taylor, Anita Marine, Nancy Fulghan, and Dorothy Lewis (deceased). Belendia was a long-time member of the Maryland Baptist Convention. From the early 1970’s she was a member of the Convention Choir. She often attended convention services as well as participating in Sunday School and BTU, Music Ministry, and Women’s Ministry programs. Belendia also travelled to the National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc to attend The Youth and Young Adult Convention and Congress of Christian Education. She is preceded in death by her loving mother, Mary A. Smith. Belendia leaves to cherish her memory a son, Earl Matthew Payton; her father, Rev. James W. Smith; one sister, Audrey R. Smith; one uncle, James D. Royster; six aunts, Martha Thomas, Ruth Royster, Dorthene Royster, Odella Royster, Rose Faulkner, Tazzie Faulkner; and Christine Royster; 40 first cousins, numerous other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Belendia Payton

January 17, 1951 - June 13, 2023