Kenneth Ray Layden

   Kenneth Ray Layden, Sr., 81, of 624 Gliden Road, died Saturday, March 15, 2025, in ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

   Mr. Layden was born in Perquimans County on June 29, 1943, and was the son of the late James Oliver Layden, Sr. and Ruth Winslow Layden. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Ruth Ann Riddick and Marvis Parrish, and by brothers, Millard “Shorty” Layden and James Oliver “Teny” Layden, Jr.

   Retired from Morris & Hinton Feed and Grain, he later farmed with Harry Lee and Joey Winslow. Many in the area will remember the garden that he and his wife labored in daily, stringing butterbeans, growing vegetables, and chopping out the grass. He was raised in the faith of Piney Woods Friends Meeting.

   Surviving is his wife of 61 years, Doris Faye Chappell Layden; their children, Ruthie Layden Moody (husband, Troy), Rachel Layden Reid (husband, Terry), and Kenneth Ray Layden, Jr. (wife, Lisa), all of Belvidere; his sister, Betty Lois Lane of Orlando, FL; his brother, Wesley E. Layden, Sr. of Hobbsville; six grandchildren, Kyle Layden (wife, Kaitlin), Tyler Moody (wife, Katelyn), Kennedy Moody, Savanna Reid, Chase Reid, and Kole Reid; six great-grandchildren, Felicity and Rosalie Layden, Jamison and Korie Moody, and Walker and David Taylor; and many extended family members.

   Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 18th, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home and Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton. The burial will be in the Chappell Family Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family in the funeral home immediately following the service or all other times at the residence.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.