Hazel Karlene (Wright) Payton

Hazel Karlene Payton was born September 28, 1946 to Leland Karl Wright Jr. and Emma Lavenna Wright in Memphis, Tennessee. Karlene, as her friends and family call her, was a supportive Marine Corp wife, went back to school while raising three children, and got her teaching degree. She was the kind of teacher that got down on the floor with the kids figuring out what each student needed to inspire them to learn. She could take any situation and make it educational as well as fun. She also worked with at-risk kids and there's no telling how many she saved over the years.

Karlene was a MOM- a Football Mom, a Baseball MOM, a Band MOM, and a Volleyball MOM. She kept stats, made band costumes, and uniforms by hand on her sewing machine. She loved every minute of being a MOM. She yelled at ballgames louder than anyone in the stands and everyone could hear her. 

Karlene was GRAM- When her grandsons came along, she continued to keep stats and yell even louder at those baseball and football games. She couldn't wait for GAME DAY!

Karlene loved to volunteer her time with different organizations helping others. Another love she had was fishing. She loved the Little Red River and old boat. She was one of a kind and she will be missed. 

Karlene is survived by her son, Pete Payton and his wife, Lindsey; her daughters, Katrina Wright, Kristin Kimbrell, and Paris Payton (adopted granddaughter); her grandsons, Caleb Payton, Tanner Rackley (Kaitlin), Cole Payton, Carter McElhany, Camden Kimbrell, her great-granddaughters, Mycala Landers and Emma Rackley. 

Karlene is preceded in death by her husband, Leon Payton; her parents, Karl and Lavennna Wright; her brother Leland Wright III; her daughter, Kathy Miller; her granddaughter, Tara Kalenna Landers; her great-granddaughter, Abigail Gracie Landers. 

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