Dominique Lydia Payton

Dominique Lydia Payton was brought into this world to be one of the greatest additions to the Payton family on February 17, 1992. Her arrival was a godsend. She spent her early years in South Hempstead, New York, where she attended Covert Elementary. After the Payton family moved to the Virginia area, Dominique furthered her education at H.H. Poole Middle School and Chancellor High School. Following her intermediate schooling, Dominique attended Virginia State University. It was there that her refusal to be put into a box became apparent. Dominique made it very clear that her passion to be a chef was her one and only goal. This lead to her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Hospitality Management from the Culinary Institute of Virginia, which brought Dominique to the Norfolk Yacht Club, where she worked with people that became her second family.

Dominique’s decision to start a family in the Tidewater area of Virginia was prompted by her reconnection with Stefan Moses. They were adamant about spending their lives together, leading to the exchange of nuptials on April 14, 2017. She lived her life exactly the way she wanted; happy and free to be herself at all times. Dominique cooked with the finest ingredients and enjoyed watching others indulge in the foods which she prepared to perfection. She would not serve any dish unless it met her very high standards. This desire for perfection was the tool Dominique used to make her a great chef. Her joyous, caring, loving and beautiful spirit left an impression on everyone who had the honor of meeting and knowing her. Dominique was very modest and humble about her talents which included singing, drawing, and playing AAU basketball.

Dominique Lydia Payton transitioned on March 24, 2018. She is survived by her husband, Stefan Moses; her stepson, Khalil; her goddaughter, Eliana; her parents, Larry and Machanda Payton; her siblings, Tiffany (Jerome) Bellamy, Candyce Payton, Bryttani (Jarrett) Manson, and Orlando Payton; her nephews, Jeremiah and Isaiah; her niece, Ryan; her in-laws, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.