Josephine Garber Layman, 83, of Bridgewater Retirement Community, joined God’s Angels on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Mrs. Layman was born on February 19, 1941, in Staunton, Virginia and was a daughter of the late John Lawrence and Martha Willberger Garber. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Sharon Evick of West Virginia; brother, John Lawrence Garber of Staunton, and a grandchild, Breanna Layman.

Jo grew up in Augusta County and attended Wilson Memorial High School, graduating in 1958. She then attended Rockingham Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, from which she received her R.N. degree in 1961.

On April 6, 1962, she married Byard Layman, Sr. of Harrisonburg.

Jo was a domestic engineer before returning to private duty nursing to complete her work career. In retirement she taught crocheting to her grandchildren, enjoyed reading Amish history and her Bible, completing word search puzzles, and collecting frog themed memorabilia.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Brenda Sifritt and husband, Rick of Marion, Ohio; four sons, Byard Layman, Jr. and Cindy Seward of Yorktown, John “J.R.” Layman and Karen Stickley of Stuarts Draft, David Layman and Tina Taylor of Staunton, and Roger Layman and wife, Mandy of Ruckersville; brother, Rev. William Garber; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 5, 2024, at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

A memorial service will be conducted in the Lantz Chapel at Bridgewater Retirement Community at 12 p.m., on Saturday, April 6, 2024, with Chaplain Russ Barb officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bridgewater Retirement Living Foundation, 302 North 2nd St., Bridgewater, VA 22812, or by visiting https://brcliving.org/brc-foundation/