Erdine Layton

Erdine Garnet Hunt Layton peacefully entered into rest on Sept. 19, 2012. Her funeral services will be Saturday Sept. 29 at 11:00 a.m. in the Thatcher Stake Center. A viewing will be held at the Thatcher Stake Center on Friday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, 10:00 10:45 a.m. Erdine was born on Jan. 20, 1915 to Alexander Clark Hunt and Sarah Martin Allred Hunt. She was born in the old Hunt home in Thatcher, where the Super Stop Gas Station is now located. She had four older brothers: Nerge, Clark, Karl and Lea. She was the only girl. She attended Thatcher Schools and was in the 7th grade when the old two story red brick high school was built. It was called Valley High and only went through the 10th grade. She earned the Salutatorian award in the 10th grade. She then attended Gila Junior College, now Eastern Arizona College, for two years graduating as a high school senior, continuing on at Gila Academy graduating in 1934. Rex Layton was attending Gila Junior College also and was playing in the dance band for the handshake dance. He excused himself from the band and asked Erdine for the next dance. They were together from then on. They were married Feb. 23, 1934 in Globe, Arizona. Erdine loved being involved in many activities while in school and life. She played violin in the orchestra, participated in pageants performed at Red Knolls, and was in the Glee Club, among others. She was an original member of the 6-VHB club. Because of Rexs health, Erdine was required to keep the various businesses afloat. They owned and operated Rexs Market Spot, Rexs Campus Cafe, Desert Garden Motel, Laytons apartments. Along with the businesses, she loved being involved with church and community activities. She served on multiple government election boards, the Census, surveys for the Town of Thatcher and worked with medical doctors for the Thyroid Survey associated with the atomic bomb test in Utah and Nevada. She wrote the weekly column, Thatcher Briefs, in the Graham County Guardian. She loved being a member of the Phi Rho Kappa book club. When EAC opened their time capsule, she was asked to help because of her knowledge of Thatcher history. She and Rex spent eight summers on Mt. Graham at Riggs Lake as camp hosts. It was at Riggs Lake that Rex passed away on June 20, 1986. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she served in all of the auxiliaries as President, counselor or teacher, and Primary accompanist. She served many of her later years doing Spanish Extraction work. Her hobbies included painting, gardening, sewing, and crocheting, welcoming her children and grandchildren, friends and relatives in her home for cookies and stories. Very seldom, if ever, anyone left empty handed. She made hundreds of itty bitty bears, purses, satin bags, blankets, and kitchen towels. Erdine was preceded in death by her husband Rex, son Gail, sons-in-law Tommy Mullenaux and Bruce Skinner, grandson Bob Nelson, great-grandson Wesley Mullenaux. Surviving are Linda (Riley) Norton, Sally Skinner, Kathryn Mullenaux, Robert George (Joanna) Layton, and Deanna (Wayne) Damron. Thirty one grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great grandchildren.