Virginia Laverne Layton

Virginia Laverne Layton went to heaven to be with Jesus on September 20, 2025 at the age of 83. Laverne was born in Bartow Florida to Loyd and Elsie Cook on March 12, 1942. She graduated from Fort Meade High School in 1961 and began working in retail. Laverne worked at Smiling Jack’s Grocery Store, TG&Y Department Store and Wal-Mart Supercenter totaling 49 years of servicing customers with a smile.

She fell in love with her sweetheart Charles in the spring of 1970 and they married in 1971. They were both gentle souls who valued and cared for one another every day of their marriage. Laverne shared the same unmeasurable love for her children and grandchildren.

Laverne was a beautiful person with a servant’s heart for God and her family. She loved to read scripture and books written by Christian authors. Her heart longed to learn more about the Bible and was always excited to share what she learned with friends and family.

Laverne enjoyed gardening, making flower arrangements, sending cards to share a kind word, and watching Elvis movies and David Jeremiah’s sermons. She treasured time at the beach collecting shells and watching the sunset. Most of all, Laverne cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren making memories and sharing laughs.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Meade and attended Lakes Church in Lakeland with her children.

Laverne was preceded in death by her husband; Charles “Charlie” Layton, parents; Loyd and Elsie Cook, and brother; Loyd M. Cook.

She is survived by her daughter; Charlene Lynn Vazeos and husband Joseph, son; Matthew Charles Layton and wife Kristy, grandchildren; Noah Matthew Layton and Lily Grace Layton, sisters; Marilyn Henderson, Katherine Parrish, Pauline Bass and husband Bill, her dog; Levi, and her many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at McLean Funeral Home in Fort Meade, Florida. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 am Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at McLean Funeral Home. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Meade, Florida. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com