Maliya Charlotte Payne

Maliya Charlotte Payne, was stillborn on Monday, November 24, 2025, and held in deep love by her mother, Samira Payne. Though her time on earth was brief, Maliya’s presence changed the world around her. She was cherished from the moment she was known, and she leaves behind a legacy of love far greater than her short life could contain.

Maliya is lovingly held in memory by her grandmother, Charlotte Payne, for whom she shares her middle name; her big brother, Darius; and two of Samira’s closest friends, Derrick Williams and Michelle Shallowhorn, who embraced Maliya with the devotion and tenderness of chosen family.

She is also welcomed and held by her ancestors, including her aunt Alisha Payne, her great-grandmother Lucille Payne, and her great-aunt Catherine Edwards, whose love surrounds her now.

Though Maliya never took a breath in this world, she brought joy and hope into the lives of all who awaited her with open hearts. She will be remembered for the beauty of her name, the strength of her spirit, and the way she expanded the circle of love around her mother. Her family honors her life by speaking her name, spending time in nature, and carrying forward the love she brought into the world. Maliya will always be held close in memory, in spirit, and in the hearts of all who loved her.

“There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint on this world”