DeShayla Payne

DeShayla Nichelle Payne was born on Sunday, July 6, 1997 in Royal Oak, Michigan. She later moved with her family to Clarksville, Tennessee where she spent her childhood and early adult years. Her aunt, Tehmia Payne, grandfather, Lambert Spears and great-grandparents: Ned and Letha Mae Robbins preceded her in death.

She received her education in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System where she graduated from Rossview High School. She studied at Austin Peay State University, but her true passion, which she started in high school, was modeling and acting with appearances in a variety of tv shows and movies such as “Nashville”, “Fatal Attraction”, “Triumph” and more.

DeShayla was affectionately known as “Shayla”, “Dash-a-la”, “Stinky”, “Monkey” or “bottomless pit” by friends and loved ones. She was a sweet, loving and vibrant soul whose presence filled every room with warmth. Her sense of humor, playful spirit, and talent for hair and makeup made her truly unforgettable. She was masterful at her craft and took great pride in helping others look and feel their best. Above all, Shayla loved her family and friends deeply and fiercely. Her love was a force, steadfast, protective, and unconditional. All who knew and loved her will sorely miss her presence and beautiful smile.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, DeShayla Nichelle, along with her unborn daughter, Rayn LeiLani Simons, whom she was joyfully expecting, departed this life to be with the Lord.

DeShayla’s sudden passing has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. She leaves a legacy of love, laughter and light. Her memory will live on in the love she gave, the beauty she shared, and the joy she brought in all our lives. She is survived by her 4yr old daughter, Brielle Nichelle Evans, who was her absolute entire world; her loving parents, Payne and DB; her most devoted sister and sister-in-law, Portia (Hillary) Eccleston, her adored nephew, Phoenix, and her brother, Valdez. Shayla will be extremely mourned by her partner, Damon Simons. She also leaves behind her cherished grandmothers: Betty Caldwell and Rhonda Washington; aunts and uncles: Mona Richey, Willa Caldwell, Wilma Caldwell, Michael Caldwell, Rochelle (Ray) Palmer, Lambert (Joanne) Payne; her treasured cousins: Azia Ellis, Ahmad Rasheed, Ceirra Shephard, Sakeenah, Rasheed, Mourgain Shephard and Bilal Rasheed, who grew up more so as siblings than cousins, and her Self Proclaimed Sister and best friend, Chaniya Booker and a host of other family friends