Joan Hester Layton

Joan Louise Hester Layton passed away in her home surrounded by family on January 8, 2014 at the age of 70. Joan was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Mary and Jay Hester. She was dedicated to her family and expressed her passion for life in the raising of her three daughters Terri, Debbie, and Leigh. Joan lived out her love for her Lord and served her family with excellence. Her home was always filled with love, creativity, music, art, cooking, genuine Southern hospitality, and enjoyment of friends and family. She had a talent for making every holiday a celebrated family tradition. Joan was blessed with many gifts to minister to others and did so through thoughtful words and deeds within various organizations, civic groups and church ministry. She sang in the choir and served in children's ministry at Lakewood United Methodist Church, teaching children's choir for many years. She later joined CrossRoad Church as a founding member. She was a dear friend and prayer partner to her women's bible study group, whose love and friendship for her was a beautiful blessing in her life. Her service to children continued while volunteering for vacation bible school and the DOTS ministry in their outreach to the Windy Hill Elementary School children. She served with joy and gladness and loved helping where there was a need. Joan was an artist at heart and expressed her creativity by following her father's passion for gardening and painting. She was an avid gardener and designed beautiful landscapes for her yards and those of her family, and enjoyed taking art classes and painting home décor. Her gift of art also flourished through her sewing, needlepoint, and jewelry design. Joan lived her life with passion and fortitude to enjoy each day, using God’s gift of creativity to bless others. She is loved and will be missed, but we rejoice knowing she is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Joan is preceded in death by her parents Mary Crim Hester and Jay Winfred Hester; mother-in-law Nancy B. Layton; sister-in-law Cheryl L. Smith; and nephew Taylor Smith. She is survived by her three daughters, Terri Herzog-Navas (Richard) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; Debbie Morgan (Kyle) of Vero Beach, FL; and Leigh Sidell (Bobby) of Whispering Pines, NC; her twin sister Jane H. McPherson of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren Chase Herzog, Madison Morgan and Halle Morgan; nieces Lindsay Baldwin and Whitney Knudsen; nephews Ken McPherson, John McPherson, John Smith, Mitt Layton, Michael Layton, and Matthew Layton; and dear lifelong friends. Her last years were blessed by the friendship and service of Signature Senior Care staff. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, January 18 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A Memorial Service and reception will be held Sunday, January 19 at 12:00 p.m. at Crossroad United Methodist Church in Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her memory to CrossRoad Church for the Windy Hill Elementary School Food Pantry. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. Words of comfort may be left at www.hgmandarin.com.