Selover Layne Obituary (2024)

Legacy of Life God's sunrise for Selover Smith Layne was on January 20, 1936 in the small town of Pinetops, NC in Edgecombe County. She was the sixth child of seven born to the late George Smith and Alice Noble Smith. She received her education at the George Washington Carver School in Pinetops, NC. After a lengthy illness, her sunset occurred on April 16, 2024 at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, NY. Selover's family roots were founded in the rural farming town of Pinetops where the family business was farming. It was here that she first developed a strong work ethic, integrity, determination, reliability, and commitment to her endeavors. In search of better opportunities, Selover was a part of America's big migration from the south to northern states. As a young woman, Selover relocated from North Carolina to New York. For many years she found work as a domestic worker in NY employed by several families that she became very attached to. Selover had a sense of pride that was demonstrated in the quality of work and commitment that she gave to the families she worked for. Her hands were never idle and she developed an expertise at cleaning and organization. This became evident when she eventually took a job on July 1, 1986 as Night Supervisor of the Custodial Staff at Hastings Public Schools in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. With a staff to manage, work assignments to distribute, and responsibility of ensuring the cleanliness of the schools, Selover diligently worked there for 23 years finally retiring on July 31, 2009. School administrators, teachers, and students all loved her warm smile, friendly demeanor, welcoming attitude, and commitment to the upkeep of the school. As a young woman working in NY, Selover, also affectionately known as "Lois" met the love of her life, Wilbert Layne. Wilbert and Selover were joined in marriage on July 30, 1963 and two children were later born to their union. They resided in White Plains, but often traveled back to their respective hometowns in North Carolina and Virginia to visit family and friends. Feeling lead to have her faith demonstrated by membership with a local church, Selover joined Calvary Baptist Church in White Plains, NY under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Lester Cousin. For many years Selover was an active member of the Daughters of Calvary auxiliary group. Selover's membership continued under Calvary's current pastor, Rev. Erwin Lee Trollinger, Jr. who she fervently supported and always promised to make him her signature fried chicken dish. Selover was a humble servant of God, who always depicted dignity, class, and respect. Her name spelled S-E-L-O-V-E-R incorporates the primary principle she lived by which is LOVE. She embodied the scripture in 1 Corinthians 13:13 which states "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is Love". Selover did not just talk LOVE, she put LOVE into action. She never heard a need that she didn't try to meet. Each month she made sure her tithe was paid and numerous charities were donated to. Many family members and friends can attest to the monetary gifts, words of encouragement, food, clothes, and others items that she gave expecting nothing in return except for the individual to pay it forward to others in life. In her latter years, Selover began to study the Bible more intensely. She was captivated by the word of God and sought to ensure that all of her family and friends accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. A short conversation on the phone would inevitably turn into an hour conversation about the Bible and how we should apply it to our lives. Undoubtedly, Selover knew the Lord and served as a missionary thru phone conversations as she spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Selover is predeceased by her husband, Wilbert Layne, her parents, and 5 of her siblings. She leaves to cherish her memory 4 Children - her son, Robert Lester Smith (Renay) of Rocky Mount, NC; daughters Dianna Pender (James) of Pinetops, NC, Denine Robinson (Roger) of Elmsford, NY, and Delanda Layne of White Plains, NY; 1 Stepson - Robert Ray Miller (Karla) of Columbus, OH, 7 grandchildren - Keosha Underwood (Rondell), Darrin Smith (Jessica), James Pender Jr. (Jasmine), Jerrod Pender, Camren Bender, Ashley Robinson, and Marcus Robinson; 11 Great Grandchildren - Diamondz Underwood, Raja' Underwood, Quest Underwood, Jira Underwood, Duane Bizzell, Aleya Underwood, Jaquan Clark, Jayden Pender, Justin Pender, Zoey Pender, and Sasha Smith; 1 Sister - Dorothy Fahnbulleh of Greenville, NC; 3 Sisters-In-Law - Jean Smith of Pinetops, NC, Rosa Lee Smith of Greenville, NC, and Mary Capehart (Charles) of Brooklyn, NY; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members near and far. Selover will be greatly missed by all, but we can receive consolation in knowing she has fought a good fight on earth, she knew Christ as her Savior, and is now gone home to be with the LORD.