O bituary

MORRIS CHARLES PAYTON JR. , was born on October 11, 1955 in the BRONX New York. He was called home to be with God on August 22, 2015. He was born to Morris C. Payton Sr. and Josephine Taylor who both preceded him in death.

Morris graduated from New York City Public Schools, and decided to join The US Marine Corp on June 28, 1974, where he was stationed at The Marine Corp Base of Camp Pendleton in San Diego County CA.

He attended Military school as a Cook/Baker- 750200 where he learned to become a Food Service Tech and a Sous Chef. Morris Military career allowed him to earn some distinguish honors such as, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. His service in the Military ended on April 7, 1978, where he was Honorably Discharged. His last duty assignment was at Rangco, Camp Fugi and FPO, Seattle WA. And his Military Rank was Corporal.

In his early age, Morris married Sharon Ham (Woodson) and from this union three children were born. He attended college at Lenoir Community College, where he wanted to become a Writer. During the 1980's Morris became a Correctional Officer in the state of MD. Where he worked at the Jessup facility. He also worked as an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Morris became a Transient moving from state to state. He finally settled down in St. Petersburg FL. In 2011 where he gained his sobriety and gave his life to Christ. Morris was then approached to give back to the VA. Hospital to become a Counselor in the Peer Support Program for Addictions. At that time he didn't feel that he was ready to give back to the VA because he knew that he needed to reach out to his family to reconcile for the many years that he had loss.

In December 2012, he began the process of reaching out to his family for reconciliation. By May of 2013 he was reunited with his children and grandchildren, from that day forward all sides began to rebuild and Morris moved to York Pa., to be closer with his children and grandchildren. As of 2014 he knew that he was now ready for the challenge of giving back to his VA Brothers and Sisters and he started attending HACC Community College for Behavioral Science. Unfortunately his illness didn't allow him to finish that goal but he was able to find GOD in his sobriety and did daily devotions to become closer with GOD.  Morris has touched every life that he has come across during his final years with his family. He made a commitment to be a part of his grandchildren's lives and to attend every function that they were a part of. He refused to miss anything. He believed in his grandchildren and saw the best in them and he always encouraged them to be great at what they loved to do.

Morris grandchildren decided that they did not want to call him Granddad but instead they would call him "Grando", which he loved. From that point on he became everyone's "Grando". His smile and laughter would light up a room. No matter how he felt or what he was going through, he would always laugh. The grandchildren would often say "What's so funny Grando" or "Why are you always laughing Grando" and he would say because laughing and being happy has helped me over the years.

He leaves to cherish his memory, two loving daughters, Natasha Payton and Michelle Payton (Johnson); two sons, Theoa Payton, Sr. and Jonathan Johnson; one loving, caring and devoted daughter-in-law, Marlice T. Payton; one son-in-law, James Johnson; one sister, Yvonne Payton; one niece and one nephew; ten grandchildren, Kyn'shon Hunter-Payton, Kaila Payton, Trinae' Payton, Madison Payton, Theoa Payton Jr., Kariem Johnson, Khalil Johnson, Jamirah Johnson, Nevaeh Payton and Christian Payton. "Grando" also leaves behind his adapted family Chante' Story, Shawnesha Matthews, Tyshawn Bushrod, Ashawnee Story and Jashawn Story.

Lovingly Submitted

The Family