Judia "BB" McLaurin Payton

Judia “BB” McLaurin Payton, age 89, of Ocean Springs, passed away on April 6, 2022. She was born on January 8, 1933 in Ocean Springs to Willie McLaurin Sr. and May House. Judia went to EH  Keys Colored School; Phillips College and was a trailblazer in the Ocean Springs community. She started her career at First National Bank and later became a Head Start Teacher and taught for several years. Judia became a CNA at South MS Home Health. Her passion for caring for others turned into a business and she became a private caregiver for Mary O’Keefe. After working for O’Keefe Funeral Home, she was one of the first people to open a private home care on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Judia loved God, going to church, talking on the phone, coffee, cooking, and caring for others and animals.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Sr. and May McLaurin; husband, Herbert Payton Sr.; sister, Ruby McLaurin; brothers, Willie McLaurin Jr., Clarence Karim, Fred McLaurin and Curly McLaurin; great grandchild, Andrielle Payton; and son in law, Greg Long Sr.

Left to cherish her memories are her sister, Jane Benward; children, Carolyn Payton, Patricia Long, Herbert (Gwen) Payton Jr., Rose J Payton, Robert (May Dean) Payton, Lora (Kevin) Triplett, Mae Payton, Mike (Rose) Payton, Phyllis Payton, Jeanine (Troy) Edwards, Eddie Hays, Jo Ann McGruder; grandchildren, Derrick (Monica) Payton, Bianca Hayes, Gregory Long, Antonio (Naomi) Payton, Krystal (Carl) Harrison, Jason Payton, Jeremy Triplet, Glanisha (Chris) Long, LaToya Payton, Michael Payton Jr., Brittney (David) Johnson, Chance Payton, Diana (Samuel) Payton-Porter, Robin Payton, Trinity Payton, Jeremiah Payton, Keshaun Brown, Deon Brown, LaMyrna Brown, Zeair Hicks, Deaumerie Hicks, Aaliyah Finley, Alexia Finley and a host of great grandchildren and plenty of animals that she shared her love with including chickens, rabbits, dogs and cats.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that plants be sent in her memory to 6900 Rose Farm Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.

The family would like to give a big thank you to the following for the care they took of Ms. Judia, Ocean Springs Singing River Hospital, Pascagoula Singing River Rehabilitation Center, Deaconess Home Health, Christina Wonsley-Wells, NP, Freewill Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Tracie Pittman, Dr. Sardar Baber, Digestive Health Center, Dr. Dillon, Dr. McNair, Dr. Lee Passarelli, and Dr. McKee.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 15, from 5-8 pm at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Ave. Ocean Springs. Viewing will be held on Saturday, April 16, from 10-11 am at Freewill Missionary Baptist Church, 13122 Horseshoe Dr., Ocean Springs, with a Funeral Service to follow at 11 am. Interment at Good Hope Cemetery and a reception will follow interment at St. Martin Community Center, 13000 Walker Road, Ocean Springs.

Bradford-O’Keefe is honored to serve the family of Judia McLaurin Payton. View and sign online tribute at www.bokfh.com