Stella M. Layson

Stella Mae Layson was born in Louisville, Kentucky on February 28, 1930, the third eldest of nine children born to Bernice and William Lancaster. She was named after her maternal grandmother, Estella Brown.

Stella attended Louisville public schools and graduated from Louisville Central High School in 1947 ½  at the age of seventeen. After high school, she attended Louisville Municipal College, a historically Black college, which is the present day University of Louisville. While at Louisville Municipal, in addition to other campus involvement, she pledged the Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Stella graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. She was one of only four African American students in her class who were able to attend and receive their degree from the University of Louisville after the change.

At an early age, Stella professed her belief and faith in Christ. She was baptized at St. Stephen Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky under the pastorate of the late Rev. B. J Miller, Sr. It was at St. Stephen where she met and wed Richard W. Layson who preceded her in death. To their union were born four children: Donna, Bonita, Richard, Jr, and Sandra.

In 1967, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio when Richard received a promotion with the Boys Clubs of America. Upon relocating to Cincinnati, the family united with the First Baptist Church of Walnut Hills under the pastorate of the late Rev. B. E. Edmondson. Stella immediately got to work. She taught Sunday school for more than 45 years. In the summer months, she devoted her time to teaching Vacation Bible School and tutoring students in math. Stella was a faithful member of the Willing Workers, serving as their Treasurer up until last year. Stella loved participating and organizing plays. She was an active participant in the church’s theater ministry, always committing herself, her children and grandchildren to acting roles. She enjoyed traveling with the Christian Travellers. Stella was always ready and willing to serve others. On Sunday mornings she could be counted on to pick up friends or members of her church family who needed a ride, making sure they got to Sunday school and church on time.

She was also a faithful member of the Sisters of Strength Women’s Ministry and was able to attend their annual Christmas Gathering just a few weeks ago. Stella shared her many gifts and talents with her church family. She could often be found at the church decorating bulletin boards, sewing curtains, doing arts and crafts, working in the kitchen, and doing whatever she could to support her church family which she loved.

Nothing was more satisfying to Stella than being a math teacher. She loved teaching and she loved mathematics. Math was her passion! She was always eager to help her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and their friends sharpen their math skills. There were not many math problems she couldn’t solve. Stella began her teaching career in Louisville in the parochial schools system at St. Peter Claver. After moving to Cincinnati, she accepted a position with Cincinnati Public Schools where she taught math at Samuel Ach Junior High School from 1967 to 1972. After leaving Samual Ach, she took a teaching position at Walnut Hills High School where she taught 7th and 8th grade pre-algebra and algebra until her retirement in 1993.

Stella was an avid bowler. She and Richard bowled with the Saturday Night Progressive Bowling League for many years. She bowled for over 25 years with the Cincinnati Teachers Bowling League. She continued bowling even after retirement until her initial illness in 2016. Stella was an active member of the Bond Hill Recreation Center Seniors where she won several medals and awards for her participation in the Senior Olympics. She faithfully participated in their monthly gatherings and was known for her famous banana pudding.

On Saturday, December 23, 2023, Stella departed this earthly life. Although she is no longer physically with us, those who knew her, those whose lives she touched, and those who love her will forever cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Layson Sr. and her son, Richard Layson, Jr. She leaves behind in her passing her youngest sister, Ann Catherine Lancaster, Sister in Laws, Glenis Lancaster and Josephine Lancaster, Daughters, Donna Moore, Bonita Layson, and Sandra Layson Darby (Donald), Grand Children: Darrick Moore, Jr., Deanna Moore, Adrian Lamont Layson, Brandi Turner (Adam), Desiree Moore, Crornelia Connie Jackson, Donald Darby Jr., Cameron Williams, and Vaugh Williams; a host of great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, former colleagues, friends, and her dedicated caregiver, Tiffany Bush.

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