Obituary of Deborah Susan Payton

Deborah Susan Payton age 54 of Malone, NY passed away peacefully in her home while surrounded by her loving family, early Thursday morning at 12:09am on December 9, 2021. Debbie courageously fought a very long and hard battle with cancer since 2016. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Frary Funeral Home. Debbie was born March 28, 1967, to the late Paul R. Raszmann and late Elizabeth L. Osmun in Ithaca, NY. On May 24, 1986, Debbie married John P. Payton Sr. Together, they had three children; Anna Beane, John Payton Jr., and Christopher Payton. Debbie loved God immensely and her primary goal in life was to bring happiness to all and spread the word of God. Her love for God radiated out of her with every word she said and every move she made. She was an avid member of the Burke United Methodist Church. For many years she was an active leader of many youth programs at the church, along with being a board member. She loved painting inspirational art and decorations to hang in her church, as one of her many joys in life was being able to help people grow closer to God. Family was everything to Debbie. She loved her family with every ounce of her being and considered them to be her greatest accomplishment in her life. She was happiest whenever her family was together, and cherished their time together. She was selfless and devoted to her family; everything she did was for them, and that brought her great joy. Debbie had a “warm and fuzzy” way about her; she always made everyone around her feel loved, cared for, and special. One of the things she looked most forward to in her lifetime, was to have grandchildren. Debbie had two grandchildren who were her absolute pride and joy; Ila Geona Payton and Cameron Jaxson Beane. She loved her “grandbabies” more than life and spoiled them and showered them with love in every way she possibly could. Ila love her “Grandma” and Cameron loved his “MyMa” beyond measure. Debbie graduated with her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Childhood Education with a specialization in Literacy from SUNY Potsdam. She loved teaching. She loved teaching her children, her grandchildren, and her students. Debbie was able to connect with any child, no matter the circumstance. She left a big impact on the lives of all who had the privilege of being taught by her. Debbie loved the relaxing sound of the ocean and collecting sea shells as she walked along the beach. She loved snowman and the fact that every snowman always has a smile on its face. Debbie loved birds, especially chickadees and cardinals; she especially loved watching her birds in her six bird feeders outside her dining room window. She loved gardening; she thought that it was so soothing to work in her garden while listening to the river and she loved to make her home look beautiful. Debbie enjoyed painting, puzzles, and doing crafts with her “grandbabies.” Most of all, Debbie’s favorite thing to do was spend time with her family. Debbie was a ray of light, love, and faith. She loved finding love in all places, even things as small as finding heart shaped rocks anywhere she went. Her kindness, warmth, wit, and optimism will be forever missed. Debbie is survived by her husband; John P. Payton, her children; Anna Beane and her husband Andrew Beane, John Payton Jr., and Christopher Payton and his wife Tori Payton. She had two grandchildren, Ila Geona Payton and Cameron Jaxson Beane. She had two sisters; Marybeth Gessini and family, and Sarah Myers and family. On Saturday December 18th at 1 pm, A Celebration of Life will be held at Living Hope Church (former St. John Bosco Church), 57 Rennie St. Malone NY 12953. All are welcome to come celebrate a life well lived. There will be refreshments after the service for a time to spend together to remember Debbie. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse - Operation Christmas Child. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/ways-to-give/ Condolences can be made at fraryfuneralhomes.com.