On Monday, January 4, 2021, Bessie White Layton, 73, passed away due to natural causes at Duke Raleigh Hospital. She was born in Concord, NC in 1947 to John and Annie (Black) White.

She was a graduate of Concord High School in 1966, and attended UNC-Charlotte. In 1971, she married Michael Layton, and they raised two daughters, Laura and Ann.

Bessie enjoyed being involved in community theater, especially with her children, crocheting, sewing, and doing word puzzles. She loved her church and her church family at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church and, later, at Family of Faith Lutheran Church (Christ Church Concord). Bessie was employed by Troutman’s BBQ for many years, and she thought of her customers there as friends.

Bessie is survived by her daughters, Laura Smith and husband Tommy, Ann Collins and husband Scott; her grandson Jacob; and Michael Layton. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Annie White.

A private graveside memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 1:00pm at Carolina Memorial Park.

The service will be live-streamed here: Graveside Service for Bessie Layton and will be available for viewing for two weeks after the service for those who would like to join in virtually.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association, a cause close to Bessie’s heart, or to your local food bank.