Payten McKenzie Smith Obituary (1995 - 2025)

Payten McKenzie Smith, 29, of Floris, IA and formerly of Keosauqua, IA passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Fair View Barn in Keosauqua, IA. Burial will be in the Fellows Cemetery in Keosauqua immediately following the service. A visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at the Fair View Barn in Keosauqua with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to the Payten Smith Memorial Fund to be used for her children's education and can be mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences and join the webcast at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com. Payten McKenzie Smith entered this life on January 28, 1995, in Fairfield, IA, the daughter of Todd Hughes and Stephanie Day Wright. She attended school at Van Buren County graduating with the class of 2013. During her time in school, she was active and excelled in every sporting event that she could be a part of. She furthered her education at the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Health Promotion and Education. On April 28, 2018, at the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Il Payten married the love of her life, Ryne Smith. This union was not just a marriage but the beginning of a beautiful family. Payten and Ryne were blessed with two sons, Emmet and Kade, who brought immense joy into their lives. Professionally, Payten was known for her commitment to helping others. She worked as a domestic violence advocate for Scott County, where she provided support and assistance to those in need. Her career also included several years at The Group OB Clinic in Davenport, IA, where she made a significant difference in the lives of her patients. Her dedication to maternal health continued at the OB clinic at Ottumwa Hospital. Most recently, Payten served as the office manager for Bogle Realty in Bloomfield. Payten's love for athletics never faded. She gave back to the community by coaching competitive travel volleyball. Her coaching journey included stints with Platform Elite, Blackhawk Community College, and most recently, the SE Iowa Spikers from Ottumwa. Payten was not just a coach but a mentor and role model to many young athletes. Payten loved to travel and enjoyed spending time on the river or a lake kayaking. She never turned down a good round of golf and was always a shoulder to cry on or a friend to share a laugh with. Her life serves as an inspiration, reminding us of the profound impact one person can have on the world. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered. Payten was preceded in death by her stepfather, John Wright. Left to share her story is her loving husband, Ryne Smith of Floris, IA; two sons, Emmet and Kade Smith; her parents, Todd (Denise) Hughes and Stephanie Wright (Darrin Gillett); her sister, Maddisen Hughes; special friend and sister by heart, Alexa (Klaus) Gassner; her maternal and paternal grandparents, as well as many extended family and many, many, friends.