Mark Abram Layman, 93, went to his eternal reward on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. He was born on
September 12, 1925 to John and Katie Layman in the Mennonite Colony that became part of
Denbigh and Newport News, VA. He was the next to the youngest of nine children.
Being raised on the farm, his father did not think highly of education. Therefore, Mark left school
after seventh grade to work on the family farm. When World War II came, at 4'11", he was too
short to reach the height requirement for the army. He continued to work on the farm until 1946.
By then, under the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, he became a cowboy on ships carrying
horses and cows to replenish the livestock killed during the war, making a total of three round
trips. After coming back from his third trip, he returned to Europe to work with the Mennonite
Central Committee. First based in Belgium and then in Germany, Mark drove a truck carrying
building supplies for the many reconstruction projects. Near the end of his two and a half year
commitment, a group from Messiah Bible College came to the same center where he lived in
Stuttgart, Germany. The night they arrived, Mark arrived late back to the center, thereby missing
the evening meal. This beautiful brunette nurse from PA, Ruth, quickly got up and prepared a
plate of food for this hard working man. That really got his attention. After all, the way to a man's
heart is through his stomach! A friendship blossomed immediately. Three weeks later, it was
time for this group to leave. However, it was discovered that a method of transportation to the
ship at the port in France was not available. Mark was asked to drive this group to the port in his
building supply truck. The story goes that Ruth, feeling ill, did not want to ride in the back of the
truck and asked if she could ride up front with Mark. By the time they arrived at the port in
France, Mark asked Ruth to marry him. Ruth replied that if she felt the same at the end of the
three week voyage back to the USA, she would say yes. Ruth spent the voyage in prayer
contemplating their difference in education, their four inch height difference and the fact she was
11 years older than he was. Mark received his YES!
Mark and Ruth were married on April 8, 1950. Settling in VA, Mark spent most of his working
years delivering milk and packaged salads to stores and restaurants and then Krispy Kreme
donuts. He also made custom kitchen cabinets.
Mark and Ruth were very involved in Huntington Avenue Mennonite Church. They also served as
volunteer phone counselors with the 700 Club for over 25 years. They traveled as much as they
could, making four trips to Israel as well as visiting their sons on the mission field in Nicaragua,
Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China and Thailand.
Ruth preceded Mark to heaven after 59 years of marriage in 2009.
Mark is survived by his four children; Mary Lucinda Grannan (Denny) of Williamsburg, VA, Don
Layman (Vickie) of Goshen, IN, Dennis Layman (Violet) of Waynesboro, VA and Heidi Strauss
(Charles) of Newport News, VA. He has 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also
survived by two brothers; Amos Layman of Elizabethtown, PA and Nathan Layman of Cartersville, VA;and his sister, Mary Showalter of Shelbyville, TN. He is also survived by a
sister-in-law, Edith S. Layman of Williamsburg, VA. He has numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff with Kindred Hospice,
including Polly, Steffi and Mario, who provided loving care for our father during his last weeks on
earth.
Services will be on Saturday, August 17, 2019. We will begin with a graveside service at
10:00 AM at Warwick River Mennonite Church Cemetery which is diagonally across the road from Warwick River Mennonite Church, 250 Lucas Creek Road, Newport News, VA 23602.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 PM at the World Outreach Worship Center,
1233 Shields Road (corner of Shields Road & Denbigh Blvd.), Newport News, VA 23608.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Comfort My People, Advancing Native Missions,
P O Box 29, Afton, VA. 22920.