Tammy Colleen Payton, born March 27, 1984 to Gary & Frieda Payton, entered eternal life on November 19, 2024. She lived in Terre Haute and worked at all three Terre Haute Arby’s restaurants during her career. She was most recently a part of the management team at Arby’s East restaurant. She loved her work family and was known for her jokes and pranks.

She loved to draw and create a variety of art. She was engaged to Jason Kirk, the love of her life, and was looking forward to their planned Halloween wedding in 2025, becoming not only Jason’s wife but a mom to Jason’s step-daughter Erin.

Her survivors include son Troy Gulley, sister Tina (Ro) Hillman, brother John Payton, sister-in-law April Woods, niece and best friend Brooklyn Winning (Corbin Sam), aunts Kimberly Payton and MariJo Lane, uncle Ed Cook (who subsequently passed on April 17, 2025), first cousins Donna Payton Lewis, Tina Moore, Tanya Cook Dodson, Jordan Cook, Tisha Cook Rickard, Crystal Cook Kacher, and Chelsea Cook Cheeseman. She is also survived by a host of other cousins and friends too numerous to list. Additionally, she is survived by her precious animals, dog Rascal and cats Dolly and Oreo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents Fred & Melinda “Wendy” Payton and Donald Sr. & Doris Cook, cousins Ryan Cook and Bonnie Payton Hutson, uncle and aunt Donald Jr. and Patti Cook, and uncle and aunt Edwin & Susan Payton.

Arrangements and cremation were entrusted to Samaritan Funerals and Cremations.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Terre Haute Fraternal Order of Eagles 291 Aerie, 823 Poplar Street, Terre Haute, Indiana on Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. This will be a family style carry-in, please bring your favorite dish. Beverages will be available at the Eagles Club. Please feel free to bring any photographs you may have of Tammy that are special to you (you will be able to pick them up after the celebration).

This is not goodbye sweet Tammy. We will one day join you in eternal life.