Martha H. Chapman Payton

Martha H. Payton, 91, of Belton, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2011. Visitation will be Thursday, August 11, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Martha’s life to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road. Graveside service will be Friday, August 12, at 10:00 a.m. in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations are made to Kansas City Rescue Mission, 1520 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64018. Martha was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts on January 18, 1920. Martha had a keen ear for music and beautiful chords. She has served as an organist at Marion Wesleyan College, funeral homes and for weddings, but mostly as a church organist for Nazarene churches for over 60 years. Martha retired in 1988 after 20 years of service with Nazarene Publishing House of Kansas City. She had been a resident of Pickering Place for over 20 years. Martha was preceded in death by her sister Ruth and her two brothers, Emerson and Ralph. She is survived by her husband Richard Payton of the home; son Charles Payton and wife Peggy of Prairie Village, Kansas; and daughter Marilyn Leavitt and husband Paul of Warrenton, Missouri. She also has six grandchildren Kelly Payton, Kevin Payton and wife Amanda, Brian Leavitt and wife Tara, Jen Edwards and husband Chris, Carol Caldwell and husband Charles, and Curtis Leavitt, and eight great grandchildren Macey, Evan, Emma, Autumn, Ethan, Olivia, Sierra, and Sophia. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed by all. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.