CULLEN, May 25 – Evelyn O'Dell Scruggs Layne, 79, of Cullen, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, May 21, 2010 after a short battle with liver cancer. Born December 28, 1930 in Cullen, she was the daughter of the late Herman S. Sr. and Blanch Young Scruggs. Mrs. Layne was predeceased by two brothers, Herman Scruggs Jr. and Lewis Scruggs; sister, Dorothy Dodd; son-in-law, Donald Lee Fields; brothers-in-law, Louis Alvan Layne, Samuel Ed-ward “Ed” Layne, Elbert Layne, Carol Layne and Monroe Layne; and sisters-in-law, Jean Layne, Joan Layne and Edith Layne.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Paul Oliver Layne; two daughters, Betty Finney of Axton and Judith Fields of Key West, FL; two sisters-in-law, Jessie Scruggs and Jackie Scruggs Dodd; brother-in-law, Hezzie Dodd of Cullen, and their families; six brothers-in-law, Spencer Layne Jr., Floyd Layne (Aggie), Billy Layne (Elsie), Ted Layne (Georgia), Norman Layne (Ida) and Nelson Layne (Loretta); eight sisters-in-law, Virginia Frangowlaskis, Ruth Ferguson, Florence Pierce (Billy), Roberta Willis (Charlie), Gloria Adams (Kendall), Janie Gray Layne, Linda Layne, and Annette Layne; a special friend, Nancy Maxey; and her many church and Eastern Star friends.

She was a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church and the Eastern Star Chapter at Pamplin. She was retired after being employed at Sears Roebuck Company in Lynchburg for 27 years. After retirement, she and her husband returned to Cullen to build their dream log cabin home, which she named “Critter Hollow” for her love of all the animals and birds that abound there. She loved flowers and gardening, especially daylilies, daffodils, irises and azaleas.

A special thanks to Hospice of the Hills, Dana Garrett, the members of Spring Creek Baptist Church, and family and friends who have sustained us in body and spirit with love and compassion.

A family graveside service was held at Spring Creek Baptist Church Cemetery on Sunday, May 23 after which a gathering of friends were invited to attend a Celebration of Life in the fellowship hall of the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte County Meals on Wheels or Charlotte County Rescue Squad.

Puckett Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. www.puckettfh.com