Rev. L.D. "Pops" Payton

Rev. L.D. “Pops” Payton, 90, Mooresville, passed away peacefully at home January 20, 2022. L.D. was born May 22, 1931, in Crestwood, Kentucky, to the late Andy Leslie and Georgia Mae (Marshall) Payton. He married the late Dorothy “Dot” (Shearer) Payton on February 14, 1953, and she preceded him in death on October 31, 2020. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

L.D. enjoyed a 55-year career as a minister in the United Methodist Church. He earned his A.B. degree from Asbury College and master’s in divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1963. He served churches in Kentucky, Kansas, and Indiana. He retired from full-time ministry from Ford Street United Methodist Church, Lapel, in 1995. That certainly did not end his career though; L.D. kept busy with plenty of interim and weekend preaching for many years after. He was an avid Kentucky basketball fan and loved to watch basketball games. Additionally, L.D. was a loving father, father-in-law and grandfather. He was proud of the family of ministers that include his son and two grandsons. Pops and Dot settled in Mooresville in 2005 to be closer to their son Dennis. His memory will be cherished by a loving family and many friends.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Luther Payton.

Survivors include son, Rev. Dennis (Tammy) Payton; daughter, Leslee D. Payton; grandsons, Rev. Andrew D. (Leslie) Payton and Rev. Daniel L. (Sarah) Payton; great grandchildren, Jayden, Paige, and Ella Payton; Emily, Carter, and Luke Payton.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 23, 2022, 5 to 7 p.m., in the chapel at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, January 24, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, 900 N. Indianapolis Road, Mooresville. The service will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Amber Karkosky-Litten, Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright, Revs. Dennis, Andrew and Daniel Payton. Burial will be in the Truelove Church Cemetery, Martin County. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Mooresville. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.