Obituary of Elizabeth M. Layton

Elizabeth Mary Layton

January 24, 1931-December 27, 2023\

Elizabeth, known to friends as Betty went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Howard and Grace (Bauer) Abel. Betty was a 1949 graduate of Woodbury High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball and singing in the choir. As a teen Betty worked at Kresge’s Department Store, then went on to work as a long-distance telephone operator for Ma Bell. She married Robert Edwin Layton on July 12, 1952, and in 1954 began to raise a family, which included seven children. After devoting many years to raising her seven children, she returned to work as a floral assistant for Sweeten’s Florist in Woodbury. She also worked for a short time at Woolco Department Store and volunteered her time at the Woodbury Heights Senior Citizens Club.

Betty loved Jesus and committed her life to serving and honoring her savior. She enjoyed reading the Bible and her favorite verse was Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Betty felt blessed by the Lord and was very thankful for all that he provided for her. She loved singing hymns and other Christian songs with her children and grandchildren. She was so proud when they could remember the words to all her special songs that she had taught them throughout the years. She lived her life with a strong Christian faith and is now resting in peace in Heaven. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Woodbury for many years and taught Sunday school and Joy class for many years. She served the Lord along with her husband Bob for many years at the Sunrise Nursing Home in Woodbury. Her belief was: Mercy re-wrote my life. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6

Betty bragged about her children to everyone who would listen. Most days she could be found in the kitchen baking some of her most loved desserts, canning jams or even sewing clothes for her children. After raising her children, she was delighted to care for her beloved grandchildren. Her most joyful days were those spent with her large family during vacations, holidays, and family celebrations. Spending time in Virginia Beach became one of her most memorable family vacations. She was known for her gentle spirit, her sense of humor and her great smile. She believed “laughter is the music of the soul”.

Spending time with friends was an important pastime for Betty, and they enjoyed crafting, dining out and playing games. Her favorites included Dominoes, Skip-bo, and Phase 10. Her most often heard phrase while playing games with friends or family was “Ohh, I only needed one card!!!”. Betty loved collecting “Betty Boop” items of all kinds and was often lovingly referred to as “Betty Boop” by friends and family.

Being a very proud patriot, and often breaking out in patriotic songs, she loved any American holiday in which she could don her snazzy Red, White and Blue attire. She spent many years travelling the country by motorhome and visited all but 5 of the United States. In her spare time, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, drawing, painting, coloring, visits with friends and family, and most of all playing board and card games.

Betty was pre-deceased by her 7 siblings: Florence, infant sister Grace, Howard, Russell, Francis, Robert and Donald and Grandson Gary Jr. She was an adoring and devoted mother who will be lovingly remembered by her seven children: Linda Young, Robert (Cindy), Shirley Vecchiolla, Faith McGinniss, Beverly Deleandro (Ray), David, and Betty Jean Sooy (John), and honorary daughters-in-love: Jeanne Abel Yoroshko and Patrice Kaizer. She was blessed with and adored her 21 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Her sweet soul and kind heart will be greatly missed by all who know and love her.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” II Timothy 4:7,8

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Betty's viewing on Saturday, January 13th, 2024 from 10am-12pm, followed by her Funeral Ceremony at 12pm at Gloucester County Community Church, located at 359 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell NJ 08080. Burial will take place immediately after at Eglington Cemetery.