Emerson Payton, Jr. Obituary (1952

Emerson Elwood Payton Jr., 62 was peacefully called from labor to reward on Sunday, April 26, 2015, 4:30 am at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Dorchester in Cambridge, Maryland. Born October 27, 1952 in Dorchester County, he was the son of Lydia Perkins Payton and the late Emerson Payton, Sr. As a child he attended John Wesley United Methodist Church of Linas Road, MD and continued his affiliation until his passing. Emerson was educated in the Dorchester County School System, having attended Cordtown School (a one-room facility), St. Clair Elementary and Maces Lane High School through the eleventh grade. When schools were desegregated, he attended South Dorchester High School for one year and graduated in the Class of 1970. Emerson continued his education at the Lear-Siegler Institute of Silver Spring, Maryland. As a young man, Emerson was a talented baseball player. He could play any position in the infield and was known for his agility and his quickness. During his late teens, Emerson and a number of his friends formed a band called the “Sophisticated Gents” and traveled around the tri-county area performing in local clubs. The desegregation of schools caused a separation of the band. Emerson enlisted in the Army and was honorably discharged in October, 1977. He was stationed at various bases throughout the United States. Emerson served at the Pentagon in Washington, DC and at one time, was stationed in Korea. Emerson served his country as a Data Analyst Specialist and a Personnel Specialist. During his tenure with the Army he received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Sharpshooter Medal (Rifle) and the Armed Expert Medal (Grenade). Though his health plagued him throughout his life, Emerson was a very industrious worker. He worked hard and he played hard. He was employed in various industries and at a number of his places of employment, would develop alternate, more efficient ways to perform tasks. In 1987, Emerson was joined in Holy Matrimony to Sidney Stanley. Within the family, Emerson was known for his jovial, good-humored disposition, his love of talking, sharing family stories and “cracking” jokes constantly. Emerson loved muscle cars and speed. He loved watching horror, sci-fi and action movies; loved reading western novels; loved completing puzzles, especially Sudoku; loved playing cards and loved following and conversing about sports teams, especially the Baltimore Orioles. Though Emerson loved many things, the greatest love of his life was his family. Later in life Emerson had been drawn closer to God and had accepted Christ as his personal Savior. He often shared his personal testimony about how God had brought him through so many difficult times. Emerson is preceded in death by his father, a sister – Christine Kane, a nephews, Daryl McNamara and step-granddaughter, Jih’nae Jenkins Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his mother, three daughters, Dontrette Cornish Smiley (Ronald) and Sandra Elliott (both of Cambridge, MD) and Keshia Elliott Woolford (Leroy), Baltimore, MD; a son, Emerson Payton III (Boston, MA); two sisters, Dorothy Beverly and Sharon Payton-Young (Granville), (all of Cambridge, MD); nine grandchildren, Tyketra Dale (George), Takari Elliott, Jamia Keene (Adrian), Brandon Williams, Myasia Williams, Emerson Elliott, Skye Elliott, DaiVion Elliott, Camden Woolford; three nephews, Larry Kane, Avonti Pinder, Edrian Pinder; two nieces, Tara Pinder Tewogbade and Asha Young); two step-children, Lisa Rigby (Chandler) and Kunta Stanley (TaWanda); 6 step-grandchildren, Kenneth Willis, Johnny Kane, Chandler Rigby, Jr., Malik Rigby, A’myri Stanley and Tavon Lyons and a host of other relative and friends. He also leaves to cherish his memory special cousins and friends, Rudell Molock Jr., Gardy Payton Sr. and Salven Payton Jr. Services will be held on Sat., May 2, 2015 1pm at John Wesley UM Church Liners Road with a viewing Friday evening 6-8 pm at Henry Funeral Home PA 510 Washington St Cambridge and one hour prior to service on Saturday. Interment in the church cemetery. Condolences sent to www.henryfuneralhomepa.com .