Hattie Louise Layton

Hattie was born at home on May 2, 1923 in Pulaski County, outside Little Rock, Arkansas to William Henry White and Maggie Davenport White.

Hattie attended a two-grade school outside Little Rock, then finished elementary school, junior high, and high school in Little Rock. For her academic achievements, Hattie was awarded several college scholarships but chose instead to defer college and go to work, saving money to make the down payment on a house for her mother, which Maggie lived in until the final years of her life.

It was during these working years that Hattie met her future husband, Joe Weaver Layton, a soldier from Utah who was stationed in Little Rock during World War II. On December 25, 1942 Hattie (age 19) and Joe (age 23) were married. For two and a half years, Hattie continued living with her family in Little Rock while Joe fought in Europe. In 1945, Hattie and Joe moved to Salt Lake City, where she lived for the rest of her life. Hattie gave birth to three children: Linda Jo, Larry White, and Jeffrey Lynn.

After moving to Utah, Hattie worked at ZCMI for seventeen years. After Joe’s death, she worked for the Key Bank/Commercial Security Bank for nearly nine years, then as a receptionist at the State Capital in the Office of Planning and Budget for the Governor of Utah. Hattie was a Salt Lake Business Women’s Association member. She retired from the work force in 1998.

As a teenager, Hattie was introduced to Jesus by a high school math teacher and began attending a Baptist church in her hometown. Hattie led a life full of faith and service. She was a long-time beloved member of the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City where she served in countless capacities, including: deaconess, church board, Sunday School teacher (including teacher of the year), Stephen’s Minister, choir member, Chair of the Worship Committee, President of the American Baptist Women, and Preschool Director. She counted the offering each Monday and volunteered in the church office each Tuesday.

Hattie was a 50-year member, and one-time State Council President, of the ESA Delta Omega Sorority Chapter Delta Omega and a member of the order of the Easter Star. Many of her closest life-long friendships were formed through these years of service and fellowship.

In addition to her three children, Hattie was adored by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe Layton, brother William White of Conway, AK, and sister Bertha Mae Booth of Des Moines, IA. She is survived by her sister Marie (Ramon) Bujarski of Waldron, AK; Daughter Linda (Gene) Carlson of Wheaton, IL; son Larry (Corinne) Layton of Park City, Utah; son Jeff (Jane) Layton of Kaysville, Utah; grandchildren Justin Layton, Catherine McNiel, Jessica Layton, Joel Layton, Jarrett Layton, Adam Adams, David Carlson, Nina Ferguson, and Beau Layton; and great-grandchildren Asher, Johnny, Benjamin, Ledger, Sela, Halo, Anderson, and Willow.

Hattie’s fun-loving and feisty attitude was both treasured and unforgettable, coupled with an outgoing nature and commitment to service and generosity towards everyone she knew. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a tremendous leader who carried her family and friends faithfully on her shoulders and in her heart until her final breath.

Hattie’s family and friends would like to offer sincere thanks for the loving care provided by the committed staff from Harmony Home Health Hospice and Wellington Assisted Living.

The viewing will be from 10:00-11:45 am and the funeral at 12:00pm on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at First Baptist Church, 777 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. The interment will be 3:00pm at the Kaysville Cemetery 500 Crestwood Road, Kaysville, Utah.

The family requested that, if desired, donations be made in Hattie’s name and memory to the charity of the giver’s choosing.