Payton Goldsmith

1953 - 2024

Payton Goldsmith, 71, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 at Reynolds Baptist Hospice In Collierville, Tennessee. He leaves his son, Marshall Payton Goldsmith of Dallas, Texas; a brother, Lester Goldsmith and sister-in-law, Beth Gooch of Byhalia, Mississippi; a sister, Kaye Goldsmith Lewis of Germantown, Tennessee, and his ex-wife, Melissa Hunt Lovelace of Austin, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Lester Goldsmith and Judy Payton Goldsmith. Payton attended East High School from grades 1 through 12, and graduated with honors from the University of Memphis. He was a sales executive with Owens-Corning when stricken in 1986 with a rare autoimmune disease. He was unable to resume his career, and instead focused on helping care for his mother until her death, and on being the best father he could be and ensuring Marshall received a good education. Payton was a member of Second Presbyterian Church. In 2013 he moved to Collierville and attended Central Church until 2019, when his health began to further decline. Despite his illness, he was a devoted father, fiercely independent and lived with courage and dignity. Memorial Park Funeral Home has charge. Visitation will be 1:30-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 at Central Church, 2005 E. Winchester Blvd. in Collierville, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Memorial Park at a later date.