Audrey Spann Layman

Audrey Spann Layman peacefully passed away on February 13, 2021, at the age of 84. She was born in New Orleans, LA to the late Samuel L. Spann, Jr. and the late Florinda Fletcher Spann. She is also preceded in death by her husband Charles C. Layman, Sr ., and daughter Dr. Kim F. Layman. Audrey was the beloved mother of Charles C. Layman, Jr., Tanya L. Scott, and Raynard A. Layman (Toya). Mrs. Layman, a retired owner and director of Layman’s Pre-School Academy, served the New Orleans community for over 38 years. Audrey was an outstanding French horn musician who graduated from Joseph S. Clark Senior High School in 1953. She also attended Los Angeles City College and Delgado Community College completing studies in early childhood education. Audrey was a devoted and enthusiastic fan of the New Orleans Saints. During her career, she received many honors and commendations for service to children in the New Orleans community. She was also named a Pre-School Director of the Year. Audrey was one of the original founders of the St. Augustine High School Football Booster Club. She was a proud member of the Joseph S. Clark Alumni Association and member of the TAY Club at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, GA. Audrey was well known throughout her Gentilly neighborhood as kind, caring, humorous and generous. She was preceded in death by grandparents Charles and Mary Fletcher, Alice Spann Watson, and Samuel Spann, Sr. She was the step daughter of the late Olivia B. Spann. Audrey was the grandmother of LaTanya S. Cade (Kelvin), Ariel T. Layman and the late Nicole K. Scott. Audrey was the great grandmother of Jamaal C. A. Scott, Dwayne J. Crenshaw III, Reginald Donahoe III, and Kaylah M. Cade. She was the sister of Patricia S. Jones (Luarthur) of Santa Clara, CA, the late Delores S. Alexis (the late Perkins), the late Emmanuel F. Spann, Sr. (Beverly), the late Samuel L. Spann III, the late Charles C. Spann ( the late Cynthia), and step brother Kevin Spann. Audrey was also the sister-in-law of Alice Perkins and the late Thomas Laymond. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at Transfiguration Of The Lord Catholic Church, 2212 Prentiss Avenue, New Orleans, LA at 10:00 A.M. Visitation will be held 9:00-10: 00 A.M. Father Paul H. Desrosiers, V.F. will be the Celebrant. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, masks and social distancing are required. Interment at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Audrey’s favorite charity, Father Flanagan’s Boys Town-Serving Children and Healing Families. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guest book.