Beulah Mae Payton was born on May 22, 1939 to the late William and Jewel Moore. She was the fourth oldest daughter of 11 siblings. She departed this life peacefully at her home in Upper Marlboro, MD on January 24, 2012.


She attended Peace Baptist Church in Washington, DC as a child with her siblings, where she later joined with her husband, and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.


She attended Public Schools in Washington, DC, which is where she met and later married the love of her life, Adolphus Payton. Of this union three children were born: Debbie, Michael and Tanya.


Beulah entered the nursing field shortly after high school and worked at several area hospitals and nursing homes. In 1968, she took a break from her career to become a fulltime stay-at-home mom. She truly enjoyed caring and providing for her family. As a stay-at-home mom, one of the highlights was being afforded the opportunity of attending her children's school events and not having to concern herself with being absent from work. Once her children had grown older, in 1980 she re-entered the workforce in the field she loved – caregiver for the elderly. First, she worked at Clinton Nursing home, then later privately for various families.


In her spare time, you could always catch her watching tennis matches, figure skating, The Food Network, CBS Soap Operas, or a good old Lifetime Movie Channel movie. She loved cooking, shopping, entertaining and had an eye for interior design. She especially loved playing games with the family and cards with the grandchildren during the holidays. Her warmth and hospitality was felt by anyone who entered her presence; she made everyone feel like family. She always had a sense of humor and encouraging words to give. However, she was especially proud of her children and grandchildren.


Beulah Mae Payton leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Adolphus, her three children: Deborah (Walter) Cromartie, Michael (Vida) Payton, and Tanya (Walter) Zebulun,; seven grandchildren: Elliott Dorsey, Ian Dorsey, Ashley Dorsey, Christopher Payton, Alayna Payton, Dominique Zebulun, and Skylar Zebulun; two step-granddaughters: Kelly Zebulun and Ariel Zebulun; one step-great grandson: Noel Watson; four sisters and one brother-in-law: Thelma Moore, Malissa Nelson, Louise Moore, and Vivian (Randy) Flowers and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.


Beulah is preceded in death, by four brothers and two sisters: William Moore, Willie Moore, Claudie Moore, Rudolph Moore, Betty Delaney and Mattie Queen.

Her viewing will be held on Thursday, February 2nd, 10am until Service 11am at the Peace Baptist Church, 712 18th Street N.E., Washington, D.C. Interment Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD.

Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., Indian Head, MD 20640.