Payton Danielle Grant

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Payton Danielle Grant. Payton’s generous spirit and love of family were the cornerstones of her life.

Payton was born on December 16, 1997, in Denver, Colorado, the second child of Lori Stone and Dan Smith. In January 2004, Payton and her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she attended Carlisle Schools. For several years, Payton was a gymnast, her favorite apparatus being uneven bars, until injuries forced her to quit. In high school, she was a captain in her cheerleading squad and used her gift of public speaking to energize the pep rallies. She was a happy child that often entertained her mother and siblings with songs, stories, funny voices and characters, her contagious spirit, the source of memorable laughter. She would sing loudly throughout the house, tumble in the front yard and leave sticky notes of affirmation on the mirrors and inside notebooks. These notes often expressed encouragement and love for the receiver, leaving a trail of sentimentality everywhere she went.

Her childhood was spent swimming, biking, and having sleepovers. She loved shopping with her mom, cooking with her grandma, and reading the bible with her grandpa. She took great pride in being a big sister and good friend. She would send text messages to her loved ones that reminded them they were always in her thoughts and insisted pictures be taken to memorialize the quality time they spent together. She loved visiting her dad and other family in Colorado, and her best friend has always been her big sister Taryn, the two being incredibly close their entire lives. At 16, and upon encouragement from Taryn, Payton took her first job as a server at Applebee’s. The two worked together for a few months and it is there that Payton met Wesley Grant. Payton initially turned down Wesley’s courting attempts, until she quickly realized that he was the love of her life. Afterwards, they were completely inseparable. Payton and Wesley both finished high school and began building a life together and on August 18, 2018, they were married in a breathtaking outdoor ceremony, surrounded by family and friends. Payton worked for a few years in a daycare, giving endless love and cuddles to newborn babies until she stopped to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a mother. Her greatest joy came on June 25, 2021, when Payton and Wesley welcomed their son, Mason Wesley Grant. Payton was beyond excited and took endless pictures of her beautiful son. Payton and Wesley dedicated their lives to serving God and being the best parents they could be to Mason. In 2024, they purchased their house in Mitchellville, quickly filling it with love, toys and laughter.

As a mother, Payton spent her time playing with Mason, teaching him to use his imagination, engage his senses, love his family, find the goodness in mankind, and most importantly, to develop his relationship with God, as she had done herself. Payton’s faith was at the forefront of everything she did, and she would pray and study scripture daily. Her passion for public speaking and her devout love of God inspired her to write sermons, which she would read aloud to her loved ones. She was sure that she should minister to others seeking light, as she had, and wanted to serve the Lord in any way she was called.

Payton passed on July 19. 2025. She is survived by her husband, Wesley Grant; her son, Mason Grant; mother Lori Stone (Kenny); father Dan Smith; Siblings Taryn Smith, Jay Young, Archer Young-Stone (Olive), Rhy Stone, Julianna Stone, and Lilly Stone; grandma Barbara Wilson; grandpa Phil Smith; grandma Pat Baumgard; grandma Melody Howard, grandma Becky Brown, grandma Cindy Grant; step-father Bryan Young, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jeanna and Patrick Grant; sister-in-law Kelsey Grant; brother-in-law Tyler Grant (Paige); nephew Cooper Grant; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Payton is preceded in death and welcomed into Heaven by grandpa Norman Boyer; grandpa Mike Wilson; grandma Susan Smith; grandpa Ronald Grant; aunt Alisa Yeazel; and beloved cousin, Trevor Boyer.

In honor of Payton’s most precious love, the family asks that donations be made to Mason Grant, care of Wesley Grant.

Although Payton is no longer with us, her legacy of love and faith will live on, and she will be

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