Mr. Payton Brant "Coon" Smith, 23, of Waynesboro, MS passed from this life Saturday, September 6, 2025, at his residence. He was born in Laurel, MS on Thursday, March 14, 2002, to Aubrey Lee Smith, III and Alysia C. Merritt. He worked as a mechanic and welder at Cason's.

Payton will be remembered as a kindhearted and extremely funny man with many talents. He loved to entertain family and friends with his goofy sense of humor. His biggest passion was singing songs and playing one of the many guitars he had on stage, and with his musical talents his dream was to one day make it on the big screen. His other passion was duck hunting and fishing with his friends and just living life to the fullest. He was and still is loved deeply by the many lives he's touched.  If you had the pleasure of knowing Payton, you are truly blessed.

Payton is preceded in death by his grandparents, Lee Smith, Jr., Curtis Porter, and Joe Vines. He is survived by his parents, Aubrey Lee. "Trey" Smith, III (Caressa) of Waynesboro, MS and Alysia C. Merritt (Kenneth) of Richton, MS; sister, Shelby Smith of Richton, MS; two  step brothers, Braxton Crager of State Line, MS and Weston Garland of Yellow Pine, AL; step sister, Kendall Merritt of Richton, MS; grandmothers, Mary E. Vines of Waynesboro, MS and Kathy Smith of Waynesboro, MS; three aunts, Keri Smith, Tisha Schneider (Ken), and Lila Kelley (Chris); a host of cousins and friends.

Visitation for Payton will be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Freeman Funeral Home, 1305 Skyland Drive, Waynesboro, MS. A Graveside Service will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Freeman Cemetery in Richton, MS with Rev. Clay Conner officiating. Interment will be in Freeman Cemetery in Richton, MS.