Stafford Layne

Stafford Layne, 83, of Pikeville, KY, passed away on February 24, 2026, at Pikeville Medical Center with Carole, his wife of 58 years, by his side.

Stafford was born on the By-Pass Road in Pikeville to the late William Henry Layne and Josephine Justice Layne on May 13, 1942. He married the love of his life, Carole Beatrice Weems on March 6, 1967, in Pikeville. He was a 1961 graduate of Pikeville High School and attended West Virginia State University for two years. Stafford enlisted in the US Army where he served his country in the Dominican Republic. He was awarded the Parachutist Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Combat Infantryman's Badge. After returning to Pikeville, Stafford worked as a cable repairman with South Central Bell for 26 years.

Stafford was baptized at the age of twelve years old. As a lifelong follower of Christ, he served as Sunday School teacher and trustee of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. A true outdoorsman, Stafford had a love of agriculture and dedicated time cultivating the family land. He tended vegetable gardens each Spring, planted fruit trees of all kinds, and nurtured roses for his loved ones. While sitting on the front porch built by his grandfather, Stafford loved sharing the oral history of Black, Native, and Irish ancestors and their place in the Appalachian landscape. Stafford also had a love of woodwork and spent many hours creating beautiful custom keepsakes, bookcases, clocks and more for his family.

Stafford is preceded in death by his parents William Henry and Josephine Layne; brothers William Clyde Layne, Elmer Thomas Layne, Charles Evans Layne, and Vernon Alexander Layne; and his first-born daughter, Yvette Michelle Layne (2009).

Stafford is survived by his wife, Carole Beatrice Weems Layne; daughters Faustina Dianna Layne, Vicky Lynn Layne, Judge Josephine Layne Buckner (Ravi), and Adrian Lynn Layne; brother Robert Layne (Linda); sister Faustina Bails; grandson Charles Evans Stafford Layne (Jasmine); and great-granddaughters Nova Michelle Rose Layne and Leah Warnell; and a host of nieces and nephews of whom he was proud and deeply loved.

Memorials may be given to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The Layne Family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of Fresenius Kidney Care and Pikeville Medical Center, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Connection Church, and the host of family and friends who have supported us during this time.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. and continue until time for the funeral at 1:00 P.M. Saturday February 28, 2026 at J. W. Call and Son Funeral Home with Steve Peake officiating.

Burial will follow at the Justice Layne Cemetery, Chloe Road, Pikeville, Kentucky