Obituary of Melissa Layton

Melissa Ann Sims Layton, 45, wife of Preston Scott Layton, passed to her Eternal home on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Mrs. Layton was born in Greenville, SC on August 25, 1978, to Teressa Ann Huckaby Sims and the late James Cecil “JC” Sims, Jr. She was a member of Locust Hill Baptist Church, Travelers Rest, SC and served on the Finance Committee. Melissa was an alumna of Gardner-Webb University and Converse College. She served as a fourth-grade teacher at Paris Elementary until the fall of 2008. Melissa enjoyed crafts which included jewelry making, quilting, sewing as well as cooking and baking. Her hobbies included collecting cookie jars, as well as Salt & Pepper shakers. She had been a volunteer for Donate Life South Carolina and was a bowling competitor in Transplant Games held in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas. Melissa was a strong Christian and never hesitated to share her beliefs with those she met. During her last stay in the hospital, she would share her faith with anyone who entered her room regardless of who they were – custodians to doctors. She never failed to thank anyone who did even the simplest thing for her and give them a smile. Melissa loved God, her family. and her friends. She had many health issues over the last 18 years of her life, but she always kept a smile on her face and looked at life as a challenge to be conquered. She will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have known her.

In addition to her husband and mother, Melissa is survived by her daughter, Kalliope Layne Layton, and her son. Elias Judson Layton of the home; two sisters, Chris Richey (Marty) of Honea Path and Ellen Hawkins (Glenn) of Pelzer; 3 nieces, Hannah Rodgers (Aubrey), Kaitlin Guthrie (Hunter), Abby Hawkins; 3 nephews, Jacob Hawkins, Hunter Richey, Matt Hawkins and 1 great niece, Palmer Rodgers.

A Celebration of Melissa’s Life will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday October 5^th at Fletcher Funeral Service, 1218 N. Main Street, Fountain Inn, SC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Memorials may be made to Locust Hill Baptist Church, c/o HVAC Project, P. O. Box 759, Travelers Rest, SC 29690 or online at https://locusthillchurch.churchcenter.com/giving/to/hvac-project; or to Donate Life South Carolina, 4200 E. North Street, #22, Greenville, SC 29615.