Funeral Services for Mrs. Lillie Mae Payton will be held at the Ben Johnson Auditorium Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:00 a. m. Public Viewing will take place at the Auditorium from 10:00 a. m. to service time. Burial will follow at the Rockford Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Lillie Mae Alex Payton was born May 29, 1937 in Natchitoches, Louisiana to the parents of both the late Mr. Elijah Alex and Mrs. Slenner Jackson Alex. She was the second born to her brother the late Paul Alex who was survived by widow Annie Pearl Alex and 4 children. She married Amos Payton Jr. and to their union were fourteen blessings: Dorothy Marie Washington (Deceased), Lloyd Henry Payton Sr., Lavern Payton, Daymon Leroy Payton (Wife Peggy), Dennis Ray Payton Sr. (Wife Rose), John Edward Payton (Deceased), Laura Sue Payton Foster (Husband Robert), Baby Payton (Deceased), Felton Earl Payton Sr. (Wife Martha), Carolyn Denise Payton, Betty Margret Forest (Husband Donald), Melissa Payton Roberson, Carla Renee Remo (Husband Russell), Amos Clifton Payton III (Wife Rowena). It was during the period of her youth that she became a member of the Rockford Baptist Church and their remained a faithful servant of the Lord, until her passing on March 20, 2011 at the Natchitoches Regional Hospital. She served dutiful as President of Rockford Mission helping others despite her own physical challenges, she was also a Member of the Eastern Star and volunteered time to other organizations whenever she could. There was no area of service at Rockford Baptist Church or the community where she did not give her time, energy, leadership and Christian advice. Mrs. Payton was one of the most humble women ever known. She always set her needs aside in order to help others. In the family and throughout the community she was known as MaDea (Mother Dearest) because of the motherly love she shared. Her doors were always open and she helped many who had no where else to turn. She was also known for her excellence in the food service industry and worked over 40 years for many restaurants in the Natchitoches area including the dining halls at NSU. Her spiritual strength, character, encouraging words, warm personality, infectious smile, coupled with humorous perspectives on life, seemed to always bring out the best in everyone she met. She will now have the pleasure from Heaven to watch over 11 children, 31 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren, for a total of 79. She fought the good fight and has now gone to a better place where suffering and pain is not allowed. She will be missed but not forgotten by host of relatives and friends. A special thanks to the Doctors and Staff of the Natchitoches Regional Hospital for the excellence in care, encouragement and professionalism. We are forever grateful. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs Lillie Mae Payton, please visit our floral store.