MARY LEA LAYTON-TAYLOR
12/25/1923 - 11/08/2022
It is with great sadness that the friends of Mary Lea Layton-Taylor announce her homegoing on November 8, 2022.
Mary Lea faithfully served her Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Humble community for 90+ years. Mary Lea was born to Robert Monroe Layton & Mary Lillian Brown on December 25, 1923, at the very site where she lived until her death. Mary Lea had one brother, Robert Monroe Layton, who preceded her in death in 1953. Mary Lea attended elementary, junior high and high school in Humble and graduated from Charles Bender High School in 1941. She went on to graduate from Baylor University in 1945 and returned to Humble to begin her teaching career that spanned 37 years. Mary Lea taught in the Humble Independent School District from 1945-1953. In 1953, Mary Lea left Humble ISD and journeyed south on Highway 59 where she taught the remainder of her career at Scarborough Elementary School teaching 5th & 6th grade until her retirement in 1982. After her retirement Mary Lea traveled extensively with friends. On January 18, 1990, Mary Lea married her long-time friend, Jack S. Taylor and together they enjoyed traveling and entertaining friends and family.
Mary Lea served the Humble community in many capacities including the James Tull Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution where she was a charter member. She served on the board of the Humble Museum, was a member of Eastern Star and Rainbow Girls. Mary Lea has been a lifelong member of United City Church (formerly First Baptist Church Humble). In 1990, Mary Lea was appointed to the Northeast Hospital Board of Authority and faithfully served in several different capacities until her retirement in January 2019. Mary Lea was recently named Grand Marshal for the 2022 Christmas Parade of Lights in Humble.
Mary Lea was a renowned historian knowing much of Humble’s history. She was an integral part in the publication of the Humble History book published in the Bi-Centennial year. She loved to regale “interesting tidbits” of the history of Humble to friends and anyone who would listen.
Mary Lea was preceded in death by her grandparents, George Buckner Brown and Mary Brown, her parents, Robert Monroe and Mary Lillian Layton, her brother, Robert Monroe Layton, Jr, husband, Jack Sullivan Taylor, and her beloved niece, Virginia Lea Layton.
Mary Lea will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her willingness to help others who needed a helping hand, her service to her community and her love for her many pets over the years.
Mary Lea would like to thank her special caregivers, Gertrude Washington, Jennifer Nixon, and Karen Stephens for their faithful and loving care over the past three years.
A celebration of Mary Lea’s life will be held at Rosewood Funeral Home, 2602 S. Houston Avenue, Humble, Texas on Monday, November 14, 2022. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm with the service following at 2:00 pm. Interment will be at Rosewood Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United City Church (formerly First Baptist Church Humble) Missions or to the charity of your choice.