Mary “Alberta” Myers Layman, 90, of Lebanon, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach.
She was born Dec. 14, 1932. Alberta, as she was known by family and friends, was born to George Seigal Ray and Ada L. Osborne Ray in Linn Creek, Missouri. She was one of thirteen children.
Alberta grew up in the Linn Creek area and graduated from Camdenton High School. On April 22, 1955 she was united in marriage to Jim L. Myers. They were married for over 34 years before he passed away Jan. 14, 1990. In December of 2008, she married Lloyd Layman and he passed away in 2009.
In addition to her husbands and her parents, Alberta was preceded in death by her sisters, Irene Tannehill, Virginia McCubbin, Hazel Whitworth, and Lucy McDaniel; her brothers, Virgil Ray, Leonard, Ray, Dale Ray, George Ray, Junior Ray, Warren Ray and Larry Eugene Ray.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Beth Napper and her husband, Roger of Lebanon; a brother, Lee C. Ray and his wife Polly; three grandchildren, Kimberly Bailey and her husband, Nick, Jared Napper and Joshua Napper; and three great-grandchildren, Luke, Zoe and Bentley.
Alberta moved to Lebanon following her marriage to Jim. She worked for the draft board for Laclede County until her daughter was born. She took a few years off to raise Mary Beth before returning to the work force, first at the Lebanon High School cafeteria and then with the Division of Family Services. She worked for DFS for over 20 years, retiring from this position. Alberta was not one to sit around with nothing to do and it wasn’t long before she was working part-time for Dollar General Store and Dress Barn. She also served as an election judge for several years and volunteered as a receptionist at The Hughes Center in Lebanon.
Alberta was very strong in her faith and early in her life was a member of Grace Baptist Church. She has been a member for many years at Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Alberta loved shopping. She also liked to play games and her favorite color was purple. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren. They brought her so much joy and laughter and she did her best to spend as much time with them as possible.
Alberta was a delightful lady to be around. She made many friends throughout the years and she always tried to have a good time wherever she went. She was an awesome mother and grandmother. She was shaped by faith and family and leaves a legacy of love for her family.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon. Burial will be in Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation was from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. A memorial has been established for the Lake Regional Serenity House and donations may be made through the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
