Marvin Christopher Payton

Marvin began his life on March 19, 1965, as the youngest child of the late Ronald Payton and the late Trenita Short Payton. After a courageous battle with dementia, Marvin transitioned from his earthly life to a heavenly place that was purposely prepared just for him. Marvin was an adventurous and sometimes mischievous child. He was both the practical joker and fierce protector. Even with his precocious self, his parents insured that Marvin was introduced to Jesus Christ, a relationship that Marvin maintained and built upon during his entire life.

Marvin was a longtime member of the Free Gospel Deliverance Temple, under the covering and leadership of Bishop Ralph E. Green. He loved going to church more than going to school. Marvin attended DC public schools. At age 16, Marvin started working for the former People’s Drug Store (now known as CVS Pharmacy). Shortly after graduating from high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1986 and was honorably discharged after serving 6 years.

During his military service period, Marvin met Rita Carmon. He and Rita married in 1988 and from this union was born Marvin’s first child, Krystal. Due to the Short/Payton blood running through his veins, Marvin was a hard worker and never knew the plight of unemployment. While he maintained some form of employment from being a CVS cashier to being a grave digger, in 2000, he began a career as a Law Enforcement Telecommunications Technician (LE Dispatcher) with the United States Park Police, National Park, Department of the Interior. He worked in this position for 21 years and retired from Federal government service in November 2021.

During this period, Marvin married Deena Brewster in 2002 and from this union were born two more daughters, Kayla and Trynitie. After the birth of his last two children, Marvin became a grandfather with the birth of his grandson, Chase. Marvin was the first person to hold Chase after he was delivered from the womb. This was a moment for which Marvin was very proud.

Marvin often referred to himself as a “Manly Man,”. Specifically, he would say, “I’m a manly man; I’m above a manly man; I’m a manly, manly, manly man.” His routine activities and work schedule demonstrated the type of man he enjoyed being. For Marvin, “Many Man” and “Love” were action words. Because of this, Marvin could be found performing many tasks, such as rehabbing homes, performing lawn care tasks, installing appliances, traveling up and down the Eastern seaboard, but one of his favorites was playing the Spades card game. He was a well-loved and supported brother, husband, father, and friend. Marvin did not allow his illness to interfere with his relationship with Jesus Chrit. When Marvin could not do anything else, he would call on the name of Jesus and then praise Jesus because that was literally all that he could do. Even when he stopped talking, he always managed to call out the name of Jesus.

As we remember Marvin, the family has chosen not to mourn a loss but rather to celebrate and show gratitude for being a part of his life. Marvin’s legacy of love for his family and hard work will be continued by his wife of 23 years, Deena Brewster Payton; his three daughters, Krystal, Kayla, and Trynitie; his grandson, Chase; his sisters, Karlyn, Erica, Tiffany, and Ebony; his mother-in-law, LaVerne Brewster; his uncle and caretaker, Wilbur Brewster; his in-laws, Geraldine Dyson, Michael Brewster, Jr. (Tamara), Marcus Brewster, and Markel Brewster (Shana); his nieces and nephews; and a host of other friends and relatives that love him and he loved them as well. Special thanks to Gregory Sanders, Steve Olfus, and Michael Smith, for their personal encouragement and support shown to Marvin.

Marvin’s Favorite Scripture:For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.