Oct. 2, 1930 ~ Sept. 16, 2022
Long-time Meeker resident Doris S. Layton passed away on Sept. 16, 2022, just shy of 92 years. From a young age she was a hard worker on the family ranches, an avid horsewoman, especially fond of animals, a rock collector and happiest outdoors enjoying creation.
Doris was born to Otis and Mary Copeland Smallwood on Oct. 2, 1930, near Raymondville, Missouri. Her family moved to Colorado in 1940 where they lived on West Divide Creek in the Colorado River Valley. The family returned to Missouri, but moved back to Colorado in 1942 where she attended school on East Divide Creek. In 1943 her parents leased the Margaret Arlian ranch on Woody Creek. Doris attended school at Woody Creek and Aspen High School. The opportunity then arose for the family to work on the Arthur Amick ranch near Meeker. It was there that she became acquainted with the neighbors, Stanly and Mabel Layton, whose son George was in the army at the time. After about one year, the Arlain ranch on Woody Creek became available to be purchased, so the family moved back to Woody Creek. While there Doris met a young cowboy from Meeker, George Layton, at the Aspen Rodeo. On Oct. 7, 1948, they were married at the Woody Creek ranch. In the Meeker area, they resided on the Mesa at the Layton family ranch, 3014 Co. Rd. 4, and raised their family there, along with numerous dogs and quality calves and colts. They both spent countless hours, day and night, in blizzards and below-zero temperatures taking care of the newborn animals.
After a study of the Bible, Doris was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1973. She had the hope of one day, by means of the resurrection, being able enjoy life once again with her loved ones, free of pain, suffering and death, enjoying the outdoors, and all of Jehovah’s creation.
After living on the Mesa for over 66 years, Doris moved into Meeker in 2014. She has spent the last three years under the loving and kind care of the amazing Walbridge Wing staff.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband George and her parents. She is survived by her children: son Nolan Layton of Hayden, daughter Mary Herman of Fruita and son Lyle (Kathy) Layton of Fort Bragg, California; her brother Norman (Mary Cay) Smallwood of Plano, Texas; grandchildren Holly (Mark) Jacobson, Larry (Megan) Layton, Sherry (Omar Magallanes) Layton, and Dorey (Robert) Barroso and 12 great-grandchildren.
At her request, no service will be held. Her ashes will be released in a private family gathering in the summer of 2023.
