Mary Evelyn Layman

Mary Evelyn Layman, age 70, passed away Friday, June 12th, 2009 at Ridgewood Manor, Maumee. She was born October 7th, 1938 to Harley Lee and Nola Mae (Taylor) Drake in Toledo, Ohio. Mary owned and operated Galena New & Used Goods Store. When she was young she was a lifeguard, she sang at the civil auditorium, the grand opening of Toledo's Union Station and in several night clubs, in and around the Toledo area. Mary worked with the Hillcrest Community Center. She traveled extensively through most of the United States and some of Canada and Mexico; loving to travel by train. Mary donated huge amounts of clothing, toys and books to the Head Start and W.I.C. programs for many years. She loved children and they loved her. For years, children of different races and creeds called her grandma; she always said she never met a bad child, just parents who lacked parenting skills. Mary would play Santa by supplying food and toys to different families at Christmas time. She thought every child should have a happy Christmas. From the time she was young Mary always loved and visited older people. She contributed largely to law enforcement agencies and the Southwest Indian Foundation in Gallop, New Mexico. Mary was an avid collector of antiques, fine collectibles and coins. She was a member of the Seraphim Classic Collectors, M.I. Hummel, Society-Giuseppe Armanie Art; Swarovski and the Royal Doulton Clubs. Mary was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church, a member of the Toledo Zoo, Alpha Iota Sorority; GAR; Women of the Moose; St. James Alter Guild and Helping Hands, where she was a past President of both groups, St. James Funeral Dinner Chairman and Social Ministry Committee. She was a Co-Chairman of St. James Rummage Sale, Banquet, and Christmas Baskets Committees, as well as, Children's Services Club of L.S.S. and Women of the ELCA.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles F. Drayton second husband, Glenn O. Layman. She is survived by her loving children, Rebecca S. Drayton; Stephen C. (Jennifer) Drayton; Loretta M. (Kevin) Martin; Joseph R. Drayton; stepchildren, Debbie Layman and Bruce (Margaret) Layman; sister, Martha (Terry) Hanf; grandchildren, Jason Villanueva; Kira Drayton; Joseph Drayton, Jr.; Chad Drayton; Brittany Cousino; Douglas Fonner; Ricky Lee Villanueva; Jessica Villanueva, and many great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; special friends, Gloria Scott (a childhood friend); Kenneth Kuhlman; Debbie Holloway; Richardo Villanueva; Gladys Perry & Tom Perry and several in-laws.

The family will receive guests Monday from 2-8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300). Funeral Services will begin Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. St. James Lutheran Church, 4727 Sylvania Ave. Officiating will be Pastor William Fink. A Graveside Service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Mendon Cemetery, Mendon, OH.
God looked around His garden and He found an empty place. He then looked down upon this Earth and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering. He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. So He closed your weary eyelids, and whispered, "Peace be Thine." It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home.