Rhonda Rae Payton, 58, passed away with family by her side on Monday, June 29, 2020 at her home in Ames. A Celebration of Life will take place from 1:00-4:00PM, with a time for memory sharing at 3:00PM, on Sunday, July 12, 2020 at Stevens Memorial Chapel (601 28th Street Ames, IA 50010).
Rhonda was born in Breese, Illinois to James and Alice (Rosenkranz) Growe. She graduated from Collinsville High School in 1980. Rhonda was married to Timothy Payton on February 18, 2014 (after being partners in life since 1994) in Ames, Iowa. Rhonda was a former server at Perkins for 13 years.
Rhonda enjoyed many things including, cooking and baking, especially for her boys and their friends. She was an avid reader and especially liked romantic novels and books. She also enjoyed sewing and one of her largest regrets after sustaining a life altering brain injury was that she could no longer make her special beds for her beloved dogs. When she was not otherwise involved you could find or hear her cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones from either the sideline or in front of the television. In addition to her hobbies one of Rhonda's greatest joys was taking care of and enjoying the company of her family's dogs. She cared for and loved each of them as her own children and it would have been very unlikey to see less than three family dogs in her home.
Left to remember and hold dear in their heart are Rhonda’s husband, Timothy Payton of Ames, IA; children; Brendan Pannier and wife Carri of Stanley, NC and Nicholas Pannier of Ames, and Paige Payton and her fiance Dwayne Davis of Douglas, WY; siblings: Pam Meng, Deron Growe and John Gasawski, all of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren: Aislyn Davis and Dwayne “DJ” Davis Jr. both of Douglas, WY and Leon Pannier of Stanley, NC.
Online condolence and fond memories of Rhonda may be shared with the Payton family on her page at www.stevensmemorialchapel.com.
