Mrs. Mildred Price Layton, age 101, of Sandersville passed away in the morning of Saturday, June 25, 2022, at her residence following an elongated battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday June 28, at the May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel with burial in the Jackson’s Baptist Church Cemetery. Reverend Mike Jones and Ken Vance will officiate. Pallbearers will be Dean Davis, Bill Hartley, Roan Miller, Russell Sheppard, Trevor Sheppard, Ken Vance, Ron Wallace, and Franklin Wood. The family will greet friends at the May and Smith Funeral Home on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service.
Mrs. Layton was born on May 21, 1921, as the tenth of eleven children, to Willie Cyrus Price and Ada Bush Price. She was raised during the Great Depression, attending the Beulah Baptist Church, and lost her mother at the age of ten, then raised by her older sisters. Mildred attended the Harrison Elementary School and Wrightsville High School, graduating as Valedictorian of her class. Mrs. Layton attended the Brewton Parker College, where she and worked in the cafeteria to pay her tuition. She graduated from Tift College with a bachelor’s degree in English and Education. Mildred then moved to Atlanta for work at American Bakeries as an accountant. In 1944, Mrs. Layton met and married Charles Vernon Layton, a talented artist, and they relocated to their Riddleville Road home to reside for the remainder of their lives. She began work as a teacher in 1945 at the Riddleville Elementary School, teaching for eight years and serving as Principal for three. Mildred also taught fifth and sixth grade at the Sandersville Elementary School and at D.D. Crawford School. Mrs. Layton was a dedicated educator, loved and respected by her peers and students. While teaching, she commuted to the Women’s College of Milledgeville for her master’s degree in Education. Mildred retired from teaching in 1986 following 38 years of service to her community. Mrs. Layton was also admired as a loving wife and mother. She was a faithful member of the Jackson’s Baptist Church, playing the piano and organ for many years. Despite a tragic incident that compromised two fingers, Mildred continued to play her beautiful music for churchgoers. Mrs. Layton was well-known for her sour crème pound cakes, but preferred residing outdoors, often seen by neighbors on her lawnmower or tractor. She will be remembered as remarkable woman with great determination, faithful to her church and full of love and generosity for her family, friends, and students. Mildred lived a long, fulfilled, and happy life.
She is survived by her daughter, Norma Layton Steele of Sandersville; her son Benjamin Gordon Layton of Sandersville; and her dear friend and longtime caregiver, Sue Anglin.
The family suggest that donations be made to the Jackson’s Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.