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Joseph Thomas (Tom) Layton, Sr., 89, passed away on Saturday morning, January 4, 2025, with his four loving children by his side. He was born April 6, 1935, in Mendenhall, MS, to the late Clarence “Pop” Layton and the late Loree (Rankin) Layton.
Tom was a graduate of Mendenhall High School, Class of 1953, where his diamond and gridiron achievements earned him athletic scholarships to Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Mississippi College, graduating in 1957 with a BA degree. While supporting a growing family, Tom attended night school and earned his MA degree from The University of Southern Mississippi in 1975. Tom retired in 1997 after a 40-year career as a faithful teacher, coach, and administrator at public and private schools in Mt. Olive, Fayette, Pinola, Topeka-Tilton, and Monticello, and also served as an agent for Simpson County Farm Bureau Insurance. Simultaneous with his career as an educator, Tom served 27 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard and attained the rank of First Sergeant. Tom was ordained as a deacon at Topeka Baptist Church in the early 1970s and, in 1977, returned home to Mendenhall to be near his aging parents. Tom was a member of First Baptist Church of Mendenhall, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for over 45 years.
In addition to his professional career, Tom served his community in numerous volunteer efforts, including the Mendenhall Cemetery Association, the annual Memorial Day festivities, and working at polling stations during election season. Tom compiled an extensive collection of photographs and stories honoring Simpson County military veterans and, in 2010, was named Mendenhall’s Most Outstanding Citizen.
He is survived by his sons, Joseph Thomas Layton, Jr. (Diane) and Christopher John Layton (Christen), and daughters, Ellen Virginia Layton Taylor (Alex) and Leah Loree Layton, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 56 years, Jane Ellen Crabdree Layton, his parents, and his brother John Howard Layton.
Visitation will be Monday, January 6, 2025, at Tutor Funeral Home in Mendenhall, MS, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Mendenhall with 2 hours of visitation prior to the service. Reverend Rodney Anderson of Dothan, AL, will officiate. Interment will follow in Mendenhall City Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Tutor Funeral Home of Mendenhall.
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