Bessie Allred Layton passed away July 7th 2016 in her home in Thatcher. She was the second
child of Clifford Lorenzo Allred and Lola Myrl Sevey. She was born October 3, 1914 in Safford
Arizona. Bessie loved to serve and was involved in many community and church events
throughout her long and productive life.
She attended 3 years and graduated from the Juarez Academy in Mexico then continued her
education with 2 years at the Gila Academy where she met and married Farrel C. Layton in
1936. The had two sons Farrel Dennis Layton and Ronald Deon Layton. They were very active
and lived and farmed around Arizona and lived in Thatcher.
Bessie was a member and president of the Graham County Republican women for 50 years, a
member of the Safford Women’s Club for 70 years and served as President and Vice President.
A Charter Member of the hospital Auxiliary of Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. The first
Christmas House was at her home. Bessie was likewise very active in and dedicated to her
church callings. She served in many positions, Teacher, Relief Society as president and
councilor, Young women’s program and stake Sunday School. And with her husband, she served a Stake Mission.
Bessie traveled the world with her husband and loved and appreciated the variety of people and
places they visited. She was a loving, concerned, and supportive mother, grandmother, and
grandma-great. She has always been described as a woman of class and was known for her
ability to entertain and host large events. She has touched many lives with her good deeds.
She is survived by her sister Ruth Rais of Mesa, her son R. Deon Layton of Buckeye and his wife Marilyn, a daughter-in-law, Paula Freestone Layton of Thatcher, 11 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband Farrel C. Layton and her son F. Dennis Layton, her
parents and siblings, 3 sisters and 1 brother.
Her family has celebrated her and her husband’s good lives many times with major birthday and
anniversary parties. This will be her final celebration but we will always honor them as a family.
Services will be held on Saturday July 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Thatcher Stake Center 1260 N
Reay Lane Thatcher Arizona. Viewing at 9:30 a.m. at the same location. Interment will be in the Thatcher Cemetery following the services.
Services are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
