Ricky Marlon Payton

Ricky Marlon Payton, of Armuchee, Georgia, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the age of sixty-eight. He was born on August 12, 1957, in Rome, Georgia, to Edmond Dewie Payton, Sr., and Mary Lou Gilphin Payton.

Known affectionately to family and friends as “Slick Rick,” Ricky carried a spirit that was both expressive and warm, marked by an easy charm and a gift for making others feel seen. He was a man who understood the quiet dignity of presence and the joy of shared laughter. His love of fashion was not mere ornament, but an extension of his personality, and his beloved cowboy hats became a familiar signature, worn with confidence and pride, as though each brim carried its own story.

Ricky is survived by his former wife and dear friend, Juanita Payton, whose bond with him endured beyond seasons and circumstances. He leaves behind his cherished daughter, April Payton, whose life remains one of his greatest joys and most enduring legacies. His lineage continues through his beloved grandchild, Devin Crowe, and his precious great-grandchildren, Darien Crowe, Jasper Crowe, and Melody Crowe, in whom his spirit lives on with renewed promise.

Ricky is also survived by his brothers, Edmond Payton (Casey), Gerald Payton (Betty), and Dale Payton (Edith); and his sisters, Linda Mathis, Diane Payton, and Beth Ridge (Alan), with whom he shared the unspoken language of family history and lifelong affection. A wide circle of nieces and nephews also mourn his passing, each carrying memories shaped by his kindness and familiarity.

Ricky’s heart was especially close to Juanita, to his daughter April, and to his sister Beth. His relationship with them was marked by loyalty, tenderness, and an abiding sense of care. He was a loving father, brother, grandfather, and uncle, offering his presence freely and his affection without reserve. His life was not measured by grand declarations, but by constancy, warmth, and the steady grace of one who knew how to belong.

He found particular delight among his karaoke family, where music and fellowship joined him to others in moments of shared joy. Those gatherings were more than recreation; they were expressions of his love for community, his delight in companionship, and his gift for celebration.

The services to honor Ricky’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Funeral Home chapel. The visitation service will begin at 12:00 PM, with the funeral to follow at 2:00 PM. Reverend Chad Kleindienst will officiate.

The pallbearers escorting Ricky to his final resting places at Floyd Memory Gardens will include Jason Payton, Steven Payton, Matthew Payton, Patrick Ridge, Devin Crowe, and Shannon Lawson

Ricky was loved by many, admired by those who knew him well, and will be remembered for the lightness of his spirit and the sincerity of his care. The echo of his laughter, the memory of his style, and the tenderness of his devotion remain forever with those he loved.

Good Shepherd Funeral Home is deeply honored to have been entrusted with the arrangements.

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