Linda Joyce Payton
November 06, 1944 — March 14, 2026
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Service Details
Linda Joyce Payton born on November 6, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa was received by the Lord in heaven on March 14, 2026, peacefully, surrounded by her family.
She was a proud graduate of Des Moines East High School’s final January class of 1963 and carried her Scarlet pride with her always.
On August 17, 1963, she married the love of her life, Larry Payton, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with love, laughter, and devotion to their daughter and three sons who were the center of her world.
Her life’s work was never defined by just one title whether her early adult years as a stay at home mom, caring for children through her in-home daycare, connecting with others through Avon, or working with the State of Iowa, Principal Financial, and University Park Nursing Home. she poured her heart into everything she did. But her most important role—the one she cherished above all—was being Mom, Grandma, and Nana- steady foundation of her family.
She didn’t just love her family—she lived for them. You could find her in the stands, no matter the distance or the weather—at fields, stadiums, gymnasiums, racetracks, and auditoriums—cheering louder than anyone else, beaming with pride. Those moments meant everything to her. She gained an endless supply of bonus kids, grand kids, and even great grand kids due to the never ending love and comfort she brought to the lives of everyone she met.
She found great joy dancing, scrapbooking, and traveling with her friends and family—especially trips to Disney, The Smokey Mountains, and the coast. She enjoyed quiet moments watching HGTV, but her happiest moments were always the ones spent surrounded by family and friends.
She wore the role of matriarch like a crown—gracefully, proudly, humor and with endless love. She was the one you went to for comfort, for wisdom, for reassurance. She reminded everyone, often and sincerely, that they were loved, that they mattered, and that they were worthy.
Through every season of life, she gave thanks to God for her family. No matter how busy, loud, or chaotic life became, she saw it only as a blessing.
Her absence leaves a space that can never be filled, but her love—steady, unconditional, and everlasting—will continue to guide her family every single day.
She was, and always will be, the heart of it all.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lila and Bill Helmick; biological mother Mary and step father Bill Kattner Larry Payton; their son, Lance Payton; grandson, Emerson Payton great-grandbaby, Payton.
Each loss she carried with quiet strength, always leaning on her faith and her love for those still beside her.
She leaves behind a legacy that lives on through her brother, Bud Helmick; her children, Lisa Davis (Tom), Lonnie Payton (Tina), and Luke Payton (Courtney); and her grandchildren, Tommy Davis, Michelle Feltz (Shane), Tiffany Deaton (Derek), Brittany Giefer (Gary), Kelsee Wiles (Zach), Preston Payton (Kasie), Blayze Payton (Alli), Jaxon Payton, and William Payton.
Her love only multiplied with each generation. She is survived by 17 great-grandchildren—Jordan, Clyde, Tyler, Kalyssa, Alexa, Davis, Eli, Junior, Zach, Madi, Grant, Johnathon, Gavin, Alina, Fenrir, Graeson, and a baby on the way and one great-great-granddaughter, Elayna. As well as many extended family members and very dears friends who were considered family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday March 26, 2026, from 4:00- 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Funeral Home. 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. also at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Avon Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be directed to the family in memory of Linda.
Condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
cindy Villalobos
03/23/2026
Linda, thank you for all the love and support you’ve given me since I was in third grade. You were more than a church member, you were a cheer leader for so many… You’re genuine compassion and concern for others as well as the joy one felt when you were around made every one of us feel so loved and important because of you… when you became my sister’s mother in law it was like we earned an extra “bonus mom”. Lisa, Luke, Lonnie and thier families all became extended families as well… your smile is reflected through each one of them in so many ways
Tina Payton
03/23/2026
The journey through grief is such a surreal thing, Linda - you know I don't do these things well. Although, I'm so glad we lived it TOGETHER - we had our moments to pray together, laugh together, cry together - in our quiet moments at your house on Leyden, Ginger's at church, the nursing home, or even Lisa's when you were home alone - Your door was always open for anyone (literally). I share my heartache in private - God knows my pain - and THANK GOD He is where our strength comes from, through these difficult times.
Our texting, our traveling, our journey through life together, as my second mom continues to mean the world to me. I carry you in my heart always. Not that I wanted to be first to chime in here, before all the beautiful messages in celebration of your life come in, but because I stand 'ready' as you did in sharing my joy in celebration for your life, your smile - ONE WORD - CONTAGIOUS! I cherish our private moments of encouragement, shared often - no matter the situation.
I remember you talking about Lonnie, when we started dated, when he was playing high school soccer at the time. You were so happy to hear Deb Watson say 'I didn't know Rambo was your son'. Only those that grew up in the 80's would know that's a testament to Sylvester Stallone's physique during that era. You were so proud of him - as you were Luke, Lisa, and as well what could have been with Lance. You missed him so much and navigated that grief like no other. You'd often speak of Lance and what he'd be doing today - and if his hair would still be as red as Larry's. You were so proud of the Foundation Singers and the close sisterhood Lisa, Courtney, Ginger and I had developed - I was too - and still am. "Sing this song. Sing that song... You should this song." Our list of musical selections kept growing - we didn't believe in ourselves as much as you believed in the ministry and sharing the gospel to those that needed to hear it. Even during Ginger's passing you were strength for her. Man - that was tough but God carried us and will do so, without fail, even now. You'd messaged me when my mom went to Jesus last year - that she'd sat with you as we practiced "She Loved" and told you she wanted that sung at her service. Well - it's instrumental is in the video reel anyway. You said she was one of your dearest friends - not because she was my mom - but because of your cherished friendship, growing together as Sisters in Christ through the church and as 'outlaws') and your shared love for the Lord while you cared for others. You would do so much for those residents. Again - CONTAGIOUS JOY!
Thank you Lord for Linda's life and all the strength and courage she carried with her. When in confidence or uncertainty, she knew how CERTAIN she was in her walk with you Lord - and for that I'm EXTREMELY GRATEFUL to have had her in my life.
PLEASE KNOW YOU ARE LOVED Linda - SO MUCH! I pray you live your next life in celebration of all that you've accomplished, all that you've overcome, and spend your next lifetime beholding all the beauty you have, right in front of you, that you could have ever imagined or hoped for. I love you so much.
Godspeed.