Leon "Pap" Payton   "God looked around his Garden and found an empty place. He then looked upon His earth and saw your loving face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest; His garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. As the days come and go and the world moves on, I know you're still here, you'll never be gone. On the night the Angel came and took your hand, we cried as you left for an unknown land. But heaven rejoiced as you came into sight, for your soul was a diamond, shining so bright! Mr. Leon "Pap" Payton, 72, passed away Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Hillside, Ill. He was a native of St. Francisville. Family and friends are invited to attend the religious service at New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 4277 Old Weis Road, Zachary, on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 9 a.m., conducted by the Rev. E. Dominique. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Martha Payton and Samuel Leon Pate; son, Patrick Payton; seven sisters and 10 brothers. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving, devoted and caring wife, Dora Payton; daughter, Jannice A.; son, Leon Payton Jr.; two stepson, Derrick and Leon Pate; a special nieces, Debra Bell; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three brothers-in-law, brother, T.J. (Catherine) Pate; sisters, Clarisse Gilmore, Belle Gilmore, Mable Noflin, Rosa Pate and Annette (Otis) Robertson. Arrangements entrusted to St. Francisville Funeral Home.   Published in The Advocate from October 25 to October 26, 2012