Payten Leigh Gross, 33, of Liberty, IN gained her angel wings on Saturday June 27, 2026, in her home surrounded by her parents, family and the bestest of friends.  She was born on December 14, 1992, in Richmond, IN, the daughter of Tommy Gross and Trisha (Dingwerth) Miller.

Payten attended Centerville and Union County Schools, where she made and kept lifelong friends.  She was a hard worker and held a variety of jobs, again making and keeping lifelong friends.  Her favorite jobs were her most recent at Woodruff's Supermarket and working with her dad.

Payten was a presence.  You knew she was there by her loud boisterous laugh, her smile and her big bright blue eyes that demanded your attention from the moment she saw you.  Payten loved with her entire being and would give even when she didn't have anything left to give.  She would be exhausted and still keep going.

When cancer came, there were no tears till the very end.  "Crying don't fix anything," she said.  Her tears at the end were for us not herself.  She fought strong, hard and her way.

The greatest love of her life was her son, Hayden.  She gave him the best parts of her.  Her laugh, blue eyes and to love unconditionally.  He has her love for mushrooms, skulls, stitch, crystals, thrifting and music.  Payten loved to walk trails, fishing, being with friends and family, playing with kids and going shopping.

This beautiful soul is survived by her parents, Tom ( Valeria) Gross and Trisha (Kevin) Miller; her son Hayden; grandparents, Lynette Anderson, Donald Dingwerth, and Donna Owens; sisters Emily Cain,  Eden Grooms, brothers Trace (Mya) Grooms, Jesse Gross and Laughlin Brown; niece, Ella Guenther, nephews, Carter, Cain, and Corbin, Holden Anthony, Nigel and Issac Vance; a very special aunt, Terri Morris, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and her very close best friends, Stephaine Johnson, Heather Smith, Payton Ervin, Valerie Potts and Ashlee Miller, as well as so many more friends.

Payten was greeted in heaven by her grandpa G.B. Gross, brother Tommy Gross and her aunt Jerelyn Clark.

In Payten's battle with ovarian cancer, she was an inspiration to many, she was strong and determined.  Her biggest advice was to advocate for yourself, and as always **** cancer.

A special thank you to Aseracare Hospice, Elizabeth and Missy, Dr. Crane, Dr. Bramblet, the Thomas Center Infusion Center, all the nurses, especially Carrie and her fairy god mother, Florence.

Friends and family may gather at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N. Main Street, Liberty, on Monday July 6, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 10:00 am until the hour of the service at 12:00 pm at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Elkhorn Cemetery.