David Terry Payton

David Terry Payton, Gospel Producer and Play Writer had his final curtain call here on earth, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011. David was born to the late John David (Buster) and Hattie Adams Payton on July 11, 1960, in Pitt County. He grew up in the Simpson and Greenville community. David learned his work ethics on a 250 acre farm owned by his parents. The Celebration of Life service will take place Friday night at Reimage Church, 3950 Victory Lane, Winterville, from 7 to 9. Funeral service will take place Saturday, at Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1001 Hooker Road, Greenville. Viewing will be at 11 a.m. and the service will start at noon.
David started his writing career at G.R. Whitfield School in Grimesland. For a school assignment, he wrote an essay concerning integration about how stupid it is for people to act one way in front of others, but in private act according to their hearts. His essay, "Prejudice" won the school contest and became part of the Pitt County School handbook. David graduated from D.H. Conley High School and attended St. Augustine College where his theatrical skills were developed and sharpened. While attending St. Augustine he worked with the Laverne Players Theater Group and starred in the play, Slow Dance on the Killing Ground. He received substantial publicity and many awards for his outstanding performance in the play. He continued his education at Johnson C. Smith University, majoring in Business and Marketing. David graduated from the Carolina School of Broadcasting in Charlotte.
He worked in the entertainment business until he gave his life to Christ and became an associate pastor of the Temple Chapel Baptist Church in Charlotte. He became a member of the Prince Hall Masons in Charlotte. During this time, David developed an outreach ministry employing Christian drama. Out of this ministry, David wrote and produced the electrifying spiritual gospel musical play, A Good Man Is Hard to Find in 1990. Jay Lee Freeman, an attorney who backed performances such as David Copperfield, Disney on Ice and Sesame Street, enabled the musical play to tour around the country to sold-out crowds in over 100 cities. In 2007, 20th Century Fox and Code Black Entertainment produced the movie A Good Man Is Hard To Find and currently seen on national television across the United States. David received recognition by the NAACP in 1993 and the play A Good Man Is Hard to Find was nominated as "Play of the Year." In 2008, in Beverly Hills, David's movie and personal appearance was a part of the annual International Black Film Festival competition where he presented a panel presentation on what it takes to write a story and then adapt it to a stage play. Since A Good Man Is Hard To Find, David has written, produced and directed several inspirational gospel musical stage plays, such as The Real Meaning of Christmas, Child Support, Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got, When a Woman's Fed Up, Tired of Being Alone, Train Up a Child, Let's Straighten It Out, Better Put that Woman First, They Said I Wouldn't Make It, Stand By Me and presently Behind The Pulpit which is touring around the Eastern United States.
David was preceded in death by his parents, J. D. (Buster) and Hattie Adams Payton; sister Shirley Payton Clemons; and brother William Travis Payton.
He is survived by a son, David Donnell Payton of Charlotte; two daughters, Marquita Renee Payton of Charlotte and Davonya Campbell Payton and her, mother, Annette Campbell of Greenville; three sisters, Vera Blackwell and husband, William, of Greenville, Jacqueline Payton Simmons and husband, Judge, of Montoursville, Pa., Linda Payton; four brothers, J.D. Payton Jr., Clinton Earl Payton and wife, Faye, all from Temple Hill, Md., Richard Payton and wife, Dover, of Manassas, Md., David Reese of Greenville, and foster brother, Marcellus Roach of Bethel; and grandson, Isaiah Donnell Payton of Beaufort. He is also survived by several aunts, an uncle, nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family will receive friends at 120 Trent Circle, Greenville. Burial will take place at Homestead Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are entrusted to Congleton Memorial Mortuary and online condolences at www.congletonmemorialmortuary.com.