Adell Antoniette "Aunt A" Payton

Adell Bess Payton was born on June 28, 1963, in Baltimore, MD, to the late James Bess and Delores V. Cornish. She departed this life on Monday, February 23, 2026, at her home in Parksley, VA.

She moved to the Eastern Shore at the age of fourteen and received her education in the Accomack County Public School System. Adell worked various jobs throughout her life. She was recently employed with the Marine Science Consortium for over 14 years.

She was a member of Walking by Faith Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Teresa Snead. On Sunday mornings, she would listen to gospel music while she was getting ready for church. Adell loved crafts, hobbies, and cooking. You were guaranteed an old-fashioned meal on Sundays, often times making her dumplings from scratch.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and her nieces and nephews. Each one of them was special to her in their own way. Her home was filled with good times and laughter. She was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan and didn't mind talking her trash! She took pride in her appearance and loved to dress up. Adell was a beloved and respected member of the Lady X Social Club ESVA. She was certainly one of a kind! Oh, how we shall miss her!

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Keyina Bess, and her granddaughter, Kayloni Marley Bess.

She leaves cherished memories with three sons, Kenoka Bess (Tyiona) of Parksley, VA; Keyron Bess (Latoya) of Delmar, DE; and Paul Bess of Parksley, VA; father of her children, Paul Payton; children she raised, Tysheena, Tyeasha, and Keyontay Creekmore, Derimon Hargis, and Tameshia Dennis, all of Parksley, VA; seventeen grandchildren, JaQuan, Qadir, Keyron Jr., Ja'Nashia, Paul Jr., Tashawn, Elijah, Calee, Jy'Quay, Kailee, Kamyra, Kyrin, Ibrenee, Kemora, Devin, Jae'la, and DeAndre; one great-grandchild, Aamir; several great-nieces and nephews, whom she loved like her grandchildren; three brothers, Eric Bess of Baltimore, MD, James Bess, also of Baltimore, MD, and Jarnell Hargis of Snow Hill, MD; two sisters, Yolanda Hairston and Jernetta Hargis, both of Parksley, VA; special friends, Hilda, Krissy, Bonnie, Rosie and Tameka; and many, many friends and extended family.