Billie Evelyn Payton

Billie Evelyn Payton

Dec 19, 1928 – September 1, 2024

Billie Evelyn (Belcher) Payton was born on December 19, 1928, to Lue Artie and Willie Horace Belcher. She was born at home on a farm near Tatum, New Mexico.

The family moved to a ranch near Dexter, New Mexico when Evelyn was about one year old. She attended Dexter Schools. She started to school riding behind her sister on horseback for 3 miles and then walking one mile to catch the school bus. After her sister graduated from high school, Evelyn rode her bicycle to catch the bus.

In June of 1946, she was united in marriage to Bruce Payton, who had recently returned home from a tour of duty with the Navy during World War II. After moving a number of times, they settled in southwestern Colorado. To this union were born two children, Judy Sharon and William Douglas. Bruce and Evelyn stayed in Colorado for 41 years before moving to the Harrah community in January of 1994.

Evelyn was a homemaker and an active member of First Baptist Church, Harrah. Bruce passed away in 2001 and Evelyn continued living in Harrah until 2016 when she moved to Amarillo, Texas to live with her daughter. After her move to Amarillo, she was involved with the BYKOTA Baptist Church where her son-in-law was pastor. She was later a member of First Baptist Church of Amarillo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister Faye Payton-Wardlow. She is survived by her daughter, Judy and her husband Linvell Tisdale of Amarillo, Texas; her son William and his wife Carol of Harrah, Ok. She is survived by four grandchildren, David Tisdale and wife Shaunda of Amarillo, Texas; Deborah Bowman and husband Jon of Fort Worth, Texas; Chris Payton and wife Claressa of Bethel Acres, Ok and Amy Payton of Jones, OK; Brian Payton and wife Layla of Oklahoma City, OK. She was blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Jayson Tisdale, Jadyn Tisdale, Skyler Payton, Blayne Payton, Tate Payton, Eli Payton, and Jenna Payton.

A special thanks to Gentiva Hospice, Amarillo, Texas and Hillside Heights Nursing Center of Amarillo, Texas for their wonderful care.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 7, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Harrah. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Memory Lane Cemetery in Harrah.

Arrangements are under the care of Asa Smith Funeral Services of Harrah