Rora Rodger Layton, 60

BRIDGEVILLE - Rora Rodger Layton of Bridgeville passed to blessed rest on Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, at home after a brief illness. He was 60.

He was born March 15, 1947, the beloved son of the late Francis Layton and Ann Spicer Layton Collins.

For 35 years, Rodger had been an adventurous, industrious, spirited and determined businessman.

His natural ability and enthusiasm for business began in his hometown of Federalsburg, Md., in his early teen years with a bicycle newspaper delivery route.

Business and partnerships include: Layton's Body Shop, L&B Auto Sales, Delmarva Sheds and Delmarva Truck Caps.

Shutter Bug Farms, built and managed with his wife, Carolyn, and numerous friends, was his daily delight and passion.

Rodger's love and strong affection for his horses, dogs and cats was an outward nuance of the love in his heart.

Memberships included Boy Scouts of America and the United States Trotters Association.

In addition to his father, Rodger was preceded in blessed rest by two sisters, Barbara and Frances Ann Layton; and his much beloved grandmother, Martha A. Spicer.

Rodger leaves to cherish his memory his loving, dear wife of 13 years, Carolyn Lucy Layton; one stepson, Anthony Bates and his wife Carol and their four children of New Hope, Ala.; his mother, Ann Spicer Collins of Seaford; his two brothers, Roy E. Collins and wife Elena and their daughter Katie of Seaford, and G. Henry Collins of Seaford; his family of beloved in-laws, Mark and Billie Givens and family of Georgetown and Bill and Tonii Marie Clemons and family of Huntsville, Ala.; his uncles, aunts, cousins and extended family; and his many faithful friends and business associates.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley St., Seaford, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Rev. David Carol will officiate.

Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Seaford.

His family wishes to thank the wonderful folks of Heartland Hospice Services.

Instead of flowers, the family requests contributions in his memory to Crossroads Community Church, 18473 Sussex Highway, Bridgeville, DE 19933.