Thelma Gertrude Layer, 89, of Corning Health Care, a native of the Rector area, died Sunday, March 28, 2004, at Corning Health Care.

She was born Sept. 11, 1914, in the Leonard community near Rector to the late Richard Owens and Lela (Glass) Owens.

She was a homemaker and a member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church.

She also was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Layer, in September 2002, and one grandchild.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Rex and Linda Layer of Oaktown, Ind., and Roy and Sondra Layer of Jackson, Mo.; two brothers, Junior Owens and Sterling Owens; two sisters, Duma Owens and Anna Mae owens, five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, March 31) at Irby Funeral Home Chapel in Rector with Rev. Jimmy Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Heights Cemetery with Irby Funeral Home of Rector in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Alvin Foster, Albert Foster, Delmar Foster, Andrew Davis, John Layer and Stan Layer.