Frank Benjamin Layman

Frank Benjamin Layman, Jr., age 93 died February 7, 2014. He was born and raised in Franklin County. Frank was a lifelong educator to all of God’s people, including his family and many students. He was a retired dairy farmer, chemistry teacher, and Ordained Church of the Brethren Pastor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank B. Layman, Sr. and Sarah (Sadie) Bowman Layman; his wife, Mary Naff Layman (June 2011); his daughter, Sheri Layman Fecher (July 2009); son-in-law, Jimmy Taylor (May 2002); and a granddaughter Andrea Jeanette Dodson. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Annis Rebecca Layman, Nancy Jane Layman, Drusilla Pasley, Frances Garber and one brother John Isaac Layman. Also four brothers-in-law Carl Garber, Charlie Pasley, Lawrence Akers and Clifford Willis. He is survived by his two daughters Jeanette Wright and her husband, Charles; Marilee Taylor; son Frank Benjamin (Ben) Layman, III and his wife Sandra; and son-in-law Don Fecher and his wife, Lynne. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren: Ray Dodson and wife, Glenda; Susan Shorter Hogan and husband, Ronnie; Michael Dodson; Alisha Ayers; Sarabeth Shorter; Geoffrey Taylor and wife Raquel; Lisa Roark and her husband, Marcus; Mary Key and husband, Robby; Jonathan Taylor; Anne Taylor Makendra and her husband Kabilan; Marissa Taylor; Malinda Layman Durand and her husband, Paul; Frank Benjamin (Benji) Layman, IV and his wife, Alex; Cyndi Fecher; Leland Fecher and his wife, Alison. Also twelve great grandchildren: Kendall and Kara Dodson, Kyle and Kendra Ayers, Michelle Johnson, Luke Hogan, Zane Mattox, Shade and Samantha McCullough, Amanda Taylor, Madeline and Collin Key, Lukas Layman and Maya Makendra. He is also survived by his sisters, Ardene Akers and Lois Willis, as well as his brothers Daniel Layman and his wife Mary; and David Layman and his wife Anne. In addition to his immediate family, Frank was able to remain in his home with the assistance of his long time caregivers: Kay Jenson, Anne Lynch, Jane Austin, Ruth Graham, Stephanie Boyle, Morgan Flinton and Toni Stump. Frank was a life time member of Antioch Church of the Brethren. His main pastorates included Fairview Church of the Brethren, Bassett Church of the Brethren, Red Hill Church of the Brethren in Roanoke County, Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren in the Shenandoah District, Nineveh Church of the Brethren and Monte Vista Church of the Brethren. He also served Ferrum Church of the Brethren as one of three generations of Laymans that served that church. He held many revivals throughout the Shenandoah and Virlinia Districts (formerly known as the First and Southern Districts). He also served on the Standing Committee for the Annual Conference and other commissions for the Church of the Brethren throughout the Brotherhood. Frank was one of the first Trustees for the Antioch Community Center. He was a 1938 graduate of Ferrum Training School and was awarded Ferrum’s Distinguished Alumni award in 2001. He also attended Roanoke College and was a 1959 graduate of Bridgewater College. He received his Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina in 1975. While at Bridgewater he was a member of the Bridgewater Glee Club under the direction of Nelson T. Huffman. As a member of Pastors for Peace, he helped transport relief supplies to Nicaragua, helping his son, Ben, with a dairy project aimed at teaching the people to raise cows for milk. Frank and Mary were blessed with many rewarding experiences by serving in disaster work for the Church of the Brethren and traveling across the United States and Countries around the World. Always an Educator, Frank had requested his body be donated to the Virginia Anatomical Society. However, due to their regulations his body was unable to be donated. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from Conner Bowman Funeral Home, Rt. 220 at Wirtz Rd, Rocky Mount. Funeral services will be held at Antioch Church of the Brethren, 2996 Callaway Rd on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Antioch Church of the Brethren, 2996 Callaway Rd, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Arrangements by Conner Bowman Funeral Home, Rt. 220 @ Wirtz Rd., Rocky Mount.(540)334-5151 www.connerbowman.com