Mark Steven Layfield

Mark Steven Layfield passed away peacefully on April 26th at Macon’s Atrium Health Navicent following a courageous battle with cancer that accelerated in the last few weeks. He will forever be treasured by his loving wife, Bettina Guthrie Layfield of Macon, and his two sons, Bradley Layfield (Janelle) of Seattle, WA. and Addison Layfield (Caitlin) of Cumming, GA and his four grandchildren, Grayson, Aubrey, Mercer, and Sutton, who will forever remember their “Paw Paw.”

Mark was born to his beloved mother, Ruth Lois Collier Layfield, and the late Eugene Layfield on January 2, 1959.  He shared a lifetime of adventures and memories with his close-knit family which included his three brothers, David Layfield (Lucy) of Oglethorpe; Fred Layfield (Jane) of Alpharetta; and Greg “Kim” Layfield (Paula) of Macon. He also adored a host of nieces and nephews.

The Layfields all love to sing and Mark particularly aspired to Gospel music. A true craftsman, he could build just about anything. Mark also was an avid hunter and fisherman who truly loved his dogs. Quiet at times, his unique sense of humor and “one-liners” would often come to light when he was in the company of his family and friends.

For more than a decade, Mark worked with the Macon Housing Authority, and another 13 years he served the Georgia Academy for the Blind. There, he not only kept the buildings up to date and ensured hallways, stairs and sidewalks were handicap accessible for students, but he happily chaperoned events to support students to go out into the community.

Mark proudly served as a volunteer Firefighter for the town of Ideal for 20 years. He once saved the life of a student, who was choking on a hotdog, in the lunchroom at the Academy for the Blind. The child was medically fragile and in a wheelchair.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 30 at 12:00 noon at Little Bethel Baptist Church in Ideal, Georgia with Rev. Mark Poole officiating the service. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow at Little Bethel Cemetery. Flowers or donations can be made to the Little Bethel Freewill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 261, Ideal, Georgia 31041.

In addition, family and friends may express their condolences and sign the online guestbook at www.watsonmathewsfuneralhome.com .

Watson-Mathews Funeral Home in Montezuma, GA has been entrusted with funeral arrangements for Mr. Layfield.