Helen Layton, age 75, died Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was born April 4,1946 to Earl and Betty Taylor, nee Strange in Pocahontas, Arkansas.

Helen worked for ADM as a cook on the boats and loved her job. She retired in 2002. She was a member of New Beginnings Church in East Prairie, Missouri for the past nine years.

She was preceded in death by her mother Betty Avery nee Strange, sister Hazel Johnson nee Taylor, sister Phyllis Rae Taylor, son Gerald Douglas Shell, father-in-law Floyd Layton and mother-in-law Jessie Layton.

Helen is survived by her husband of 49 years, J.C. Layton, and one daughter Betty Jean (Jeannie) Smith nee Shell of Mascoutah, Illinois, son-in-law John Smith, granddaughter Shandi LaRue of Yukon, Oklahoma, grandson Jordan Smith and his wife Jennifer and son Travis, twin granddaughters Mariah and Mikayla Smith, one sister-in-law Mary Abernathy and family and one niece Patricia Gates and husband Rick Gates of Malden, Missouri.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. at New Beginnings Church in East Prairie.

Shelby Funeral Home of East Prairie in charge of arrangements.