Diane Payton

Diane Loretta was born on August 5, 1956, to the union of Hulon Norman and Loretta Jefferies; she was the 6th of seven children. She departed this life on Saturday, June 19, 2021. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wardell Payton and three brothers, Andrew, Norman and Harold Jefferies.

Diane was the first infant to be baptized at the new location of St. John AME Zion Church (425 Forest Ave., Cincinnati, OH). As a young child and teenager, Diane was very active with the Buds of Promise Ministry, Young Adult Missionary Society and WH&OMS. She was gifted with a beautiful singing voice, and whenever she could, she would sing to the glory of God. She sang with the Youth Church Choir and the Withrow High School Choir. Diane also attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music taking piano lessons while attending H.S. She honed her music talents/skills and became very good.

After graduating from high school in 1994, she relocated to Oakland, CA to live with her older brother, Norman Jefferies. While living in the Bay Area, she attended Laney College and Merritt Junior College. Diane met Allen Turner and from that relationship, one child was born: Allen Lindsey Turner, Jr.

In February of 1995, Diane returned to Cincinnati, OH to help with the care of her mother. In 2001, she was united in marriage to Wardell Payton. Diane attended Cincinnati State College where she received her STNA license and enjoyed several years of caring for the elderly and handicapped populations until she was forced to retire due to a workplace injury.

She is survived by her one and only son, Allen Jr.; four grandchildren, Gionna, Jarreau, Geneva aka “Yum-Yum” and Carmelo Turner; one brother, Reginald E. Jefferies (Theresa) of Ellicott, MD; two sisters, JoAnn Orr (Aaron) of Cincinnati, OH and Saidia Mohammad (Jaqueline) of Charlotte, NC; two nephew-brothers, Norman L. Jefferies, Sr. and Jarvis Harrison; great-nephew, Norman Jr., who lovingly referred to her as “Auntie Kra Kra” and would spend as much time with her as he could; 10 nieces and 10 nephews; a host of great-nieces and nephews in Cincinnati, Chicago and the Bay Area (too many to name); and sisters-in-law, Phyliss Jefferies (Chicago) and Janet Payton Carr (Robert) of Cincinnati, OH.

Some of her favorite past times included watching great movies, hanging out with family/friends, singing, helping others and reading a good book.

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