Obituary and funeral service: Michael Payton, Jr. 18, (AKA Michael Smith) of Loganville and Monroe

Michael Smith, age 18, of Loganville and Monroe, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly on May 18, 2025.

Michael was a loving son, grandson, and brother, and “Big Mike” was a favorite among his many loyal friends. He attended McConnell Middle School and Archer High School and was an offensive and defensive lineman for the Archer Tigers. He had a life-long interest in cars and football, and he enjoyed honing his skills as a musician and tattoo artist. He is survived by his mother, Nita Smith Thomas, and his brother, Mark Samuel Smith-Thomas, both of Monroe; his grandmother, Marsha Smith (“Mimi”), of Atlanta; the father who raised him, Mark Thomas, of North Carolina; and Michael’s father, Michael Payton, Sr., of Atlanta. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Mark Steverson Smith. 

Michael’s family will receive friends on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 670 Tom Brewer Road, Loganville, GA 30052. There will also be a Graveside Memorial Service the following week on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Hill Haven Memory Gardens, 490 Edmondson Road, Monroe, GA 30656. 

Arrangements by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 670 Tom Brewer Road, Loganville, GA 30052. 770-466-1544. Please sign the online guest registry at www.stewartfh.com.

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Reposted courtesy of Tim Stewart Funeral Home.