Harold Preston Layman

Harold Layman, 78, of Decatur, passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 at his home only a brief time after losing his wife of 58 years, Doris Ann Dennis Layman on Nov. 5, 2014. Born in Sevier County, TN to the late Theodore Taft and Bessie Marie Layman, Harold lived for a short time at Head of the Creek in Sweetwater before his parents moved their family to a dairy farm in Meigs County. Harold married Doris and they lived for a few years on Main Street in Decatur before moving to the farm they bought to raise their girls on. Harold also worked for Bowater Southern Paper Mill for well over 40 years where he had many friends and coworkers from Meigs and surrounding counties. Harold and Doris graduated from high school with the Meigs Class of 1954 and attended church at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church. Harold is survived by 3 daughters, Kym and her husband Tom Swanks of Ten Mile, Jerri Layman of Seattle Wash., and Ruth and her husband Paul Shipp of Knoxville; grandchildren, Jessica Shipp, Paul Gavin Shipp and his fiancee, Michelle Fox, and Ann Marie Shipp; brothers and their wives, Don and Linda Layman, Dan and Carolyn Layman, Teddy and Polly Layman, Edwin and Tommie Kay Layman, and Johnny and Ethel Layman; many Layman nieces and nephews; and his wife's family, brother-in-law Doug Graham and sister-in-law Pat Dennis and their sons and families. He was preced in death by his sister-in-law, Pearl Wattenbarger Layman; his wife's brother and sister, Bob Dennis and Linda Graham. The funeral will be on Saturday at 2pm at Bowers Funeral Home with the Rev. Hugh Bryan and the Rev. Andrew Lay officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be family members and the family will receive friends at the funeral home in Decatur on Saturday from 12-2 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Mt. Olivet Methodist Church, c/o Helen Blevins at Southeast Bank, treasurer.