Sofia Carmen Layton

She was born on March 2,1933 in Panama City, Panama and was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Charles “Veldon” Layton, of Oak Grove, LA,; father, Maximo Neftali Montenegro; mother, Agapita Salazar Montenegro; brothers, Maximo Montenegro and Daniel Montenegro; sisters, Rosa Sanchez and Yona Rivera, all from Panama City, Panama; daughter (infant) Sharon G. Layton.

Carmen is survived by her son, Charles M. “Mike” Layton and wife Socorro Layton, daughter, Deborah G. (Layton) Faust and husband Butch Faust; 5 grandchildren, Staci (Faust) Young, Brittany Layton, Michael Faust, Brandon Layton, and Melissa Faust; 5 great-grandchildren, Hailey, Ava, Hudson, Grayson, and McCoy; 2 sisters Marina “Kitty” Carmona, of Dallas, Tx. and Sofia Montiel of Miami, FL; brother Dennis Montenegro of Panama City, Panama; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Carmen was a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.

As a loving and caring military wife of Veldon Layton, who served his country proudly as a member of the U.S. Army retiring after 22 years with a rank of (E-8) MSgt., Carmen arrived in the United States in early 1963. A foreign country unknown to her and with no other family, she would very soon be thrust into caring for both her son Mike and daughter Deborah alone when Veldon was sent overseas or routinely in the field while serving in the U.S. Army. The strong wife and mother that she was, Carmen quickly

acclimated to the newfound challenges. She loved the United States and while Veldon was in Vietnam, worked to become a U.S. Citizen surprising her husband when he returned. Upon Veldon’s retirement from the U.S. Army, the family relocated to Houston, TX. Carmen would go on to work for a few years for the Diagnostic Clinic of Houston as a medical receptionist for 9 doctors. Veldon and Carmen would later move to a home that they had built near Crockett, TX. Ultimately due to her husband’s illness, they sold the property and relocated to a home in San Antonio to be near their daughter and family along with addressing health issues at the nearby US military hospitals.

In 2017, after being diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia, the disease had significant impact on Carmen and those who knew her likely found her to be one of the most unique persons you would ever meet. Carmen wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything. She was a fierce Mama Bear and MawMaw Bear. There are stories that her loving son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandkids can all tell you about her.

A special thank you to the VITAS Homecare in San Antonio, TX for their loving care and support. Also thank you to Sunset North Funeral Home in San Antonio, TX for all of the arrangements.

Visitation and funeral services will take place 10:00am until 12 Noon at Sunset North Funeral Home located at 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX, 78232, on Thursday, August 4, 2022. Immediately following, departing at 12:15pm, those who wish to attend may join the family at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX. 78209, for the committal service, Shelter #1, 1:00pm – 1:30pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Layton family.