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Another special friend passed away Saturday. Valerie Layton Gregory, long time Magee resident, died from bone cancer. She fought the good fight..but that mean hateful disease won the battle.
Sometimes, when I think about winning the battle, living is not always the win. Valerie suffered. Her ability to attend church, take Michael Dunn to Zips, and visit with her many friends was gone. Each day brought pain and suffering.
Valerie’s family was instrumental in the development of Magee. Glenn, her father, was a volunteer fireman from “way back.” The family business, Roach’s Cabinet Shop, was known statewide for their skill in cabinetry. Like many Magee business, the changing times closed Roach’s Cabinet Shop.
Although I have known Valerie forever, what plays formats in my mind is her friendship and care of Michael Dunn. Valerie became Michael’s caregiver for twenty years. Valerie took sign language classes with Michael when he was in Melinda Mahaffey’s room. If you stopped by Zip’s most anytime, Valerie and Michael were sitting to the right eating and enjoying the people. I always felt Valerie meant as much to Michael and he did to her. The Dunns and Windhams loved Valerie. She became another family member.
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Valerie cared about others. She was always doing things for people. She had a caring spirit…you could see the kindness in her face.
Friends faithfully visited Valerie to the end. She was blessed with many dear and special friends.
Valerie’s mother Betty is a resident at the Bedford Center in Mendenhall. Her brothers Jeff and Wesley reside in Magee. Please keep the family and friends in your prayers.
I am so glad we will always feel her sweet sweet spirit.
(If anyone would like to write a tribute to their loved one, just contact me.)
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Beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. Valerie touched so many with her kindness and respect for others. She truly made a difference.
To know Valeria was to love her. We grew up next door and played our hearts out every day. Brenda and I would fuss each day in deciding whose little girl she would be that day. She was so sweet and willing. We spent the night together many, many nights…..her house or ours.
Mother and Daddy always loved her and considered her on of theirs.
God is amazing how He worked it out that Valeria would be one of the four precious ladies who took care of our mother in her last years. Valeria was one of the most selfless person I’ve ever known. She always would do for others at most any cost.
She had many, many friends who loved her dearly. She will be missed by so many because she loved so many. Please pray for her wonderful mom and brothers and families and friends during this sad time. We do know that she trusted God and loved Him by the way she talked and cared for others.