Edna Ruth Belche Layton, 92, of Columbus, Georgia passed away on January 5, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Auburndale, Florida on January 2, 1932 to the late Essie Nevada Meadows Belche and Arthur Clyde Belche.
Ruth was married to the late Charles B. Layton. Together they called Columbus home. Ruth worked as a manager at Gayfers Department Store and retired from there after it became Dillards. She loved to read, play cards with family and friends, and spend time with her family. Ruth was Catholic by faith and was a member of St. Anne’s parish.
She leaves her loving memory to be cherished by her children: Antoinette "Toni" Turnage Medford and Walt, Mary Nevada Stewart and D’arsay; her brother, George R. Belche and Linda; her grandchildren: D’arsay Stewart III, Katherine Nevada Stewart Turner and Randy, Timothy Turnage and Carina, Edmond Turnage and Sam, and Georgia Turnage; her great grandchildren: Kyle Turnage, Megan Finley, Max Turnage, and Jennifer Turnage; her great-great grandchildren: Kameron Finley, Jason Turnage, Dominic Finley, Gabriel Turnage, and Jonas Turnage; and numerous other family and friends. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Essie and Arthur Belche; her husband, Charles Layton; her sons: Thomas A. and H. Neal Turnage; her brothers: Joseph and Fred Belche.
A rosary will be said to honor Ruth on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, Georgia with visitation following the rosary until 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church. Ruth will be laid to rest in Chapel of the Pines Mausoleum at Parkhill Cemetery.
