Jennifer Layman

Jennifer Criss Hooper Layman, age 54, died unexpectedly Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at her home.

She was born at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, April 26, 1967, the daughter of Joseph Clayton (Joe) and Elizabeth Ann (Martin) Hooper. Jen graduated from Fannin County High School, Class of 1985 and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse from Pickens Technical School in 1990. She loved working with mothers and babies at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in Dalton, Georgia, and Fannin Regional Hospital in Labor, Delivery and Newborn Nursery.  She also  worked as a Public Health Nurse in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jen loved babies and had a passion for being a doula, attending many births. The last 20 years she enjoyed private duty nursing doing homecare for patients requiring advanced nursing skills, especially infants.

She also especially enjoyed gardening, cooking and riding her motorcycle with family and friends.

She was predeceased by her sister, Amy Lynn Hooper, grandparents James Edwin  and Jean Virginia (Dietsche) Martin and John Conna and Blanche (Thibedeaux) Hooper.

Surviving in addition to her parents are her children and their spouses, Stephanie Lynn and Wayne Stiles, of Blue Ridge, Danielle Grace Layman, of Murphy, North Carolina, Mathew David Saxton, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Andrew Blake  Saxton, of Cincinnati, Ohio; brothers, James Conna Hooper, of Blue Ridge and Raleigh, North Carolina, Jonathan Clay Hooper, of Mineral Bluff, Joshua Cary Hooper of Spring, Texas, and Jonah Creighton and his wife, Maria (Bennett) Hooper, of Decatur, Georgia; and grandchildren, Logan, Faith, Hope, Willow and Aspen Stiles, of Blue Ridge, Nathan Layman, of Murphy; and several nieces and nephews.

Following Jen’s wishes she was cremated.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration honoring Jen’s life Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Odom Springs Vineyard Pavilion in Blairsville, Georgia, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.