© Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat (OK)
February 19, 2021

Leah Mae (Clark) Layman, 81 years old Council Hill resident, passed away on February 10, 2021 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

She was born on June 8, 1939 to Hobert and Geneva (Minger) Clark in Kismet, Kansas, Seward County. Leah grew up near Kismet, Kansas at the Panhandle Eastern Gas Plant where her dad worked. She accepted the Lord at a young age. She attended Kismet schools graduating from Kismet High School in 1957. She met Haskell Layman in college at Panhandle A & M while working in the cafeteria and they were united in marriage in December 22, 1962 in Liberal, Kansas. They lived in the Council Hill area for more than 50 years. Leah graduated from Panhandle A&M College in 1961 and Northeastern State University in 1969 with a Master's Degree in Education. Leah loved teaching school and did for almost 30 years at Stigler, Dustin and then Midway until her grandson Brandon was born. She taught Business (Typing, Shorthand and Accounting), Math and whatever else was needed. She also served as the librarian. She was most known for the typing bibs her students were required to wear to cover their hands and keys. She was a strict, business-like teacher, but most all her students agree they learned many lessons in her class. She loved to sew, crochet and quilt and made all her own clothes and Brenda's. In the summer, she had a big garden and canned fruits and vegetables. She also lived her commitment to young people as a volunteer 4-H Leader. She and Haskell traveled many miles with 4-H kids and their families to stock shows and other events and she enjoyed every trip. Leah and Haskell began teaching school to be able to buy their own farm. But they continued teaching until retirement. She worked side-by-side with Haskell whether he was working in the field, pasture or for the water district. Neither one was afraid of work nor getting their hands dirty and generally worked from daylight until dark especially with the cattle. Leah loved attending her grandkids many events and activities: 4-H, livestock shows, basketball and band.

Leah was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Haskell Layman, brothers Harold "Bud" Clark, James "Jim" Clark and sisters, Violet Eileen Stutsman, Mary (Clark) Graves, Martha (Clark) Vanderburg, Dorothy (Clark) Collins and Carol Rae (Clark) Blair.

She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Brenda Miller and her husband Billy of Hitchita, Oklahoma; Son, Gary Layman and wife Rhonda of Dewey, Oklahoma; Grandsons, Brandon Miller of Shawnee, Oklahoma and Blake Miller of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Granddaughter, Katy Layman of Dewey, Oklahoma. Leah is also survived by brother-in-law, Eugene Layman of Highlands Ranch, CO and numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and a lifetime of friends.

Viewing 2-4 pm Sunday, February 21, 2021 and 9am-4pm Monday, February 22, 2021 at Garrett Family Funeral Home, Checotah.

Services celebrating the life of Leah were held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Garrett's Serenity Chapel, Checotah, OK.

Committal prayers and interment followed in Hillabee Cemetery under the personal direction of John Garrett.

You may share online condolences with Leah's family at www.garrettfamilyfuneralhome.com.

The family of Leah Mae Layman entrusted her care, services and burial to John & Kim Garrett and the dedicated staff of Garrett Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service 311 SW 2nd Checotah, OK 74426 (918) 473-2244.