Verma Mae Smothers Layer, age 94, of Columbus, MS, died November 17, 2009, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be Friday, November 20, 2009, at 11:00 AM at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gary Walker and Dr. Albert Wilkerson officiating. The interment will immediately follow at Friendship Cemetery. The visitation will also be Friday, November 20, 2009, from 9:00-11:00 AM at Memorial Funeral Home. Mrs. Layer was born November 3, 1915, in Fayette County, AL, to the late Robert and Hettie Elma Walker Smothers. She owned and operated Layer's Grocery Store for 45 years and was a member of the East End Baptist Church and Winsome Sunday School Class. Mrs. Layer was preceded in death by her husband, John "J. N." Layer, and son, Harold Callahan. Mrs. Layer was a wonderful mother who loved her children and grandchildren and she will be missed by all. Survivors include her sons, Jimmy Layer (Toby) of Columbus and Fletcher Callahan (Carolyn) of Clinton, MS, daughter, Nina Poss (John) of Columbus, brother, Robert Smothers of Aberdeen, sisters, Ruth Coy and Mary Alice Copelin, both of Aberdeen, and grandchildren, Lee Poss, Chris Callahan, Steve Callahan, Kathryn Bonner, and Michael Childress. Pallbearers will be Lee Poss, Ernie Smith, Fred Bell, Bob Jaudon, Travis Berry, Jerry Kendall, and Kenneth Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dewey Flora, Curtis Pritchett, John Hillhouse, Buford Crowe, Robert Brewer, Billy Price, Dr. Barton Williams, and Dr. Min Kim. The family would like to thank Dr. Barton Williams and the staff of the Critical Care Unit of Baptist Memorial Hospital for their care and support. Memorial may be made to the East End Baptist Church P.O. Box 8480 Columbus, MS 39705.
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