Allen Webster Layson Sr.

Allen Webster Layson, Sr., 75, of Reform, AL died January 5, 2007 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at Reform First United Methodist Church on Monday, January 8, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Presiding clergy Rev. Susie Knedlik and Rev. Brannon Pinion. Burial will be at Graham Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. January 7, 2007, at the funeral home. Mr. Layson was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, H.A. Layson, Wink Layson and Frank Layson; and sister, Lillian Atwood. Survivors: loving wife, JoAnn K. Layson of Reform, AL; daughter, Kim Layson (Bill) of Reform, AL; sons, Michael Jerome Layson (Renate) of Tuscaloosa, AL, James Bryant Layson (Donna) of Opelika, AL, Butch Layson (Diana) of Calhoun, GA, and Allen Webster Layson Jr. (Kathleen) of Decatur, GA; brothers, Van Layson (Gertie) of Eatonton, GA and Addison "Add" Layson (Connie) of Calhoun, Ga; sisters, Janie Layson Little (Winfred) of Eatonton, GA and Eleanor Layson Sirmons of Hawkinsville, GA.; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and special friend, Minton Mullenix. Mr. Layson was born December 16, 1931 in Eatonton, Georgia to the late Horace Augustus Layson and Allie Mae Gearhart Layson. He was a University of Georgia graduate with a bachelor of science degree, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict and a member of the Reform First United Methodist Church. He was a former employee with Bo Waters Paper Corporation for 13 years, Weyerhaeuser for 17 years and served as a member of the House of Representatives for 20 years. Allen was best known as a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved helping people, his church family and community. He had a special love for community libraries and members of the area volunteer fire departments. Those who knew him well would say they loved his colorful stories and were blessed by his generous heart. Pallbearers will be grandsons Jaime Webster Layson, Thomas "Toby" Layson, Bryant Layson, Jarret Allen Layson, Michael Layson and Alex Layson. Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy Kirk, David Stokes, Rev. Thomas Kay Jr., Roy Conely, Richard Laird and Keith Beasley, members of Ophelia Spruill Sunday school class, Hospice of West Alabama, special nurses, Amanda and Tony, caregivers, Maggie and Nancy, special caregivers Laura Lowe, Marilyn Prude, Andrella Sullivan and Linda Stanton, speech therapist Manderson Elmore, and all members of volunteer fire departments. The family requests that memorials be made to Reform First United Methodist Church general fund, 807 Third Street N.E., Reform, AL 35481, Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404, A.L.S. in Huntsville, AL, or a favorite charity. Skelton Funeral Home of Reform, AL is directing.